North County Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) says he is encouraged by ongoing discussions about forming a panel to address New York’s teacher evaluation process.

Blankenbush has been an outspoken critic of the governor for using bully tactics that tied his teacher evaluation policies to much-needed school aid.

Blankenbush represents the 122nd District, which includes much of central St. Lawrence County except Canton, Potsdam and St. Lawrence River communities.

“The problems with Common Core implementation and the teacher evaluation system is that the stakeholders were never part of the conversation, which is why a panel would be important,” said Blankenbush. “I have long pushed for similar steps to be taken in my Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan. Clearly, I will need to review any proposals on the subject in detail, but I am encouraged by this step toward an open discussion about our public education system.”

Speaker Carl E. Heastie talked to reporters in Albany about the possibility of creating a panel to address teacher evaluation reforms, which the governor has made a sticking point of his budget. Many legislators on both sides of the aisle reject the governor’s attempt to tie school aid to policy. Recently, a Siena poll showed that New Yorkers overwhelmingly disagree with the inclusion of policy in the budget.

Blankenbush, who hosted one of 14 public hearings on education, helped craft the APPLE Plan. Among the proposals of fair funding for schools and halting Common Core testing is a push to reform the teacher evaluation system, ensuring that educators have input.