I’m proud to be the president of a union that prides itself on being democratic and advocacy driven. So, while I disagree with the accuracy and much of what the local leaders at Charter School for Applied Technologies wrote about New York State United Teachers and charter schools in the Nov. 4 Another Voice column, I support their advocacy for charter schools within our democratic union.

NYSUT is proud to represent teachers and staff at 21 charter schools and is actively involved in organizing many others, something that obviously has made the Charter School Association and the anti-union management of some in the charter school movement feel threatened. Charter School for Applied Technologies, by the way, does not appear to be anti-union and is a charter school that, based on my recent visit, demonstrates a mission grounded in improving student learning.

NYSUT remains deeply concerned about a system of funding that drains regular public schools in order to fund charter schools. That’s simply wrong.

If charter schools are designed to offer innovation and choices that vary from regular public schools, then the state should step up to the plate and fund them without taking away from existing public schools that are trying to make a difference.

NYSUT continues to support the adequate funding of public schools, charter and regular. NYSUT is fighting proposed midyear cuts that would hurt charter and regular public schools alike. And we continue to advocate for a funding formula which, if enacted properly, would benefit all children whether in charter or regular schools.

The state, on the other hand, has broken its promise to redress the disparity in funding of poor districts in urban and rural communities. NYSUT fought to help secure a formula designed to meet a court’s demand for equity.

High standards, accountability, transparency and preventing over-saturation are all important issues to weigh carefully when advancing charter schools or any alternatives created to address the needs of low-performing students.

Ensuring quality public education for every child is not like changing models on an auto assembly line or opening a big-box store or a fast-food outlet next door to an existing one. It’s about children. Providing for some at the expense of others is unacceptable.

While we’re all eager to advocate for “our way,” quality public education is about the right to fairness, equity and quality for every child.

Government officials, union leaders and advocacy groups all have an obligation and responsibility to be sure that their actions reflect a commitment to quality public education for every child.

Richard C. Iannuzzi is president of New York State United Teachers.