MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: March 9, 2021 Updates
Subject: March 9, 2021 Updates
Court
We do not anticipate that Judge Emilio Colaiacovo will reverse his decision to deny our motion to keep schools closed until our safe and healthful grievance can be heard by an arbitrator.
We will be prepared to present evidence that many of our schools do not provide “safe and healthful” conditions as required by our contract. (Click Here)
As you know, many of the unsafe and unhealthy conditions have begun to be corrected because we are and we remain in court until they are and remain corrected.
COVID-19
With your continued support, we will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure that our schools/sites are and remain safe.
We will also continue to work in an attempt to have vaccinations available in schools/sites.
While our actions in court and in public have forced the District to take action, much more needs to be accomplished as you can see from the most recent (see above) BTF Health and Safety Assessment.
While many administrators and staff have worked with teachers to address continuing health and safety problems, there is still much to be done in too many schools.
District COVID Reports/Log
Once again, the District publishes reported cases of Students/Adults by schools.
That site is https://www.buffaloschools.org/Page/96927.
There is sometimes a day or two lag.
We are tracking these and will be reporting them. (Click Here)
You should be careful when utilizing the New York State information as it usually includes students and adults (staff) in private, charter, etc. schools. If an incident occurs at your school, please notify your LRS and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Accommodations
BTF/NYSUT action has resulted in accommodations being granted to some teachers who had been denied previously.
We will continue to fight on all levels – the courts, the NYS Public Relations Board (PERB), publically, etc. to end “Human” Resources’ callous denial of teachers’ accommodation requests.
Please notify your LRS if you have been denied an accommodation (Click Here).
Standardized Tests and Regents
The Board and parent organizations are expected to join in our battle to have the US Department of Education reverse its decision on mandating grade 3-8 standardized tests.
We are also seeking to eliminate any Federally required Regents.
For the most recent Federal Opt-Out information, Click Here. Note: the 95% participation rate has been eliminated for this year.
Federal Funding
While we await President Biden’s signature on the “American Rescue Plan Act”, we must continue to ensure that all education funding reaches the District without any of it being siphoned off by New York State or the City.
Too often, as with the Lottery, all the funding is earmarked for education; however, New York State, for example, has cut back on its share.
Will we go to court if this happens?
You know the answer – Absolutely, as always.
Retirement Seminar
The Buffalo Teachers Federation is offering its annual retirement seminar for all persons considering retirement.
The seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 7:00 PM. It will be held virtually via Zoom. A link will be sent at a later time.
The seminar is designed to give you pertinent information to help you better plan your post-teaching years. A representative from the New York State Teachers' Retirement System will be our primary presenter with time built in for your questions.
BTF staff will also be available to present information on how the BTF contract will impact on prospective teacher retirees. This session will begin at approximately 8:45 PM. for those interested in this portion only.
Those interested in attending should RSVP by emailing Jackie Newton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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