In June, a gunman opened fire in a Texas elementary school, killing two teachers and 19 students. New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta said the tragedy and those like it underscore the need for action. 

"Everytime there's a tragic event like Uvalde or Parkland or Sandy Hook, we call it a wake up call for action," he said. "But safe schools cannot be an idea that comes in waves."   

Teachers union leaders on Tuesday called for steps meant to keep schools safe as students and teachers return to the classroom. Their proposals included measures for how to strengthen security and safety in schools.

Safety is paramount for schools and learning to function properly, Pallotta said. 

"If that doesn't exist, teaching is disrupted and emotional development is disrupted and your ability to fulfill your mission, what you dedicate your life to as an educator, that is disrupted," he said. 

Education labor leaders want funding to hire staff like school counselors, social workers and psychologists. They are calling for an updated, uniform school safety guidance. And they want stronger federal gun laws as well as a national red flag law in order to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed by a court to be too dangerous.

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew believes proposals like hardening classrooms and giving guns to teachers won't work.  

"Instead of talking about arming teachers and locking down schools as prisons, we have to talk about the issue of giving the school community what it needs to actually start dealing with the issues that our children are facing," Mulgrew said. 

Republican candidate for governor Lee Zeldin on Tuesday said he would encourage school officials to work with police and bring law enforcement into schools. He has opposed stricter gun laws.  

"Some school administrators in a way shelter their school a little bit too much from local law enforcement to be able to make schools safer," Zeldin said. 

Lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul this year approved a raft of gun measures included an expanded red flag law, raising the age to possess a semiautomatic rifle to 21 and expanding the red flag law.

“Lee Zeldin is doing everything he can to make it easier for people to get their hands on dangerous weapons, even if it means opposing common sense measures like gun-free zones and red flag laws," said Jerrel Harvey, a spokesman for Hochul's campaign. "Zeldin can't be trusted to protect New Yorkers."