Anne Frances Pizzo

A few years ago, I had been rehired by the NYC DOE after two years' work for an upstate district. Unfortunately, halfway into the new school year and was hospitalized for a Diabetic Crisis and need to take Medical Sabbatical. I had well over the 7 years of experience required for a one semester leave.... (In fact, I had about 20 years.) After assembling and submitting all the medical documentation and other administrivia required. the NYC Dept of Ed's Medical Division denied my request (and, by now, I was off payroll) on the basis of an obscure Chancellor's Regulation that SUPPOSEDLY required a return to active service of at least three years prior to eligibility for a sabbatical. (I'm a veteran English teacher and I seem to recall some ambiguity in the language, although I learned NO Chancellor's Regulation has the force of law and we all have recourse to "real" Courts when necessary. ) After Ms. Pizzo and I conferred with the Medical Director (who immediately reversed her denial and sign off on her approval; the administrator explained that the doctor can only decide on claim's medical validity; in other words, she can approve a leave, but not the form it will take. Anne's law firm served papers on every from Bloomberg to that same administrator at the MD. In about two weeks, I was restored to full salary; the difference would make up almost to the penny the salary I was not paid earlier. I think Ms. Pizzo's stage whisper, "When a Federal Judge throws this unConstitutional trash where it belongs, you will be liable to pay ANY claims that you have denied citing this Regulation. I know Randi Weingarten is always glad to hear from a colleague."