In the first four-way (yes, four!) legisaltive leaders meeting this morning with Gov. Andrew Cuomo this year, the governor unveiled a proposal designed to force the United Federation of Teachers and the Bloomberg administration into an agreement over teacher evaluations.

Cuomo told reporters after the meeting that he would introduce a new law that would allow the state to assume control over the evaluation process if the UFT and Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn’t come to an agreement “shortly.”

Failing to reach an agreement on the local criteria for teacher evaluations has meant a $450 million loss of federal and state aid to the city.

Cuomo and state lawmakers last year agreed to tie a 4 percent boost in state aid to completing teacher evaluations on the local level, with nearly all of the districts around the state finalizing plans with their individual bargaining units.

The notable exception, however, has been New York City and missed the Jan. 17 deadline.

“The city has been unable to come to the terms with the union,” Cuomo said. “I told the leaders this morning it was my intention to firmly request the city of New York and teachers union resolve their differences, come to an agreement, put a teacher evaluation in place and do the best they can to educate the children of New York.”

Cuomo said the state would act through the state Education Department and the Board of Regents, which approves the evaluation plans anyway.

After the negotiations failed, Bloomberg pointed to the UFT seeking an “sunset” provision in the deal, while union President Michael Mulgrew pointing to the administration’s intransigence.

“They missed the deadline,” Cuomo said. “A deadline is a deadline. The system worked extraordinarly well last year. That’s what we have to remember.”

Cuomo wouldn’t give a specific timetable for when he would push for the possible law to be adopted.

“We’re all grownups,” Cuomo said. “They understand the severity of the situation. Now maybe with this default mechanism it will give them a new perspective on the situation.”

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Update: UFT President Michael Mulgrew released a statement saying they “welcome” Cuomo’s involvement.

I welcome Governor Cuomo’s involvement, and while we would prefer a negotiated settlement, it’s good to know that should the talks fail again, people who actually understand education will be part of the decision-making process. Parents need to know that, thanks to the Governor and the legislative leaders, there will be no further risk of the loss of state money for our schools.

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