MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: April 3, 2020
Subject: Updates
Thoughts for the Day
Believe in yourself…
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
As always, you have shown amazing inner strength, caring, and commitment under the most difficult circumstances, e.g. lack of materials and equipment for your students and yourself, the neediest of students, having to care for your children while you care for and teach your students, demands by some administrators, who don’t have to accomplish what you have to under the conditions you have had to overcome… to name but a few.
Thank you for all that you do and for who you are.
Spring Recess
At this point, it appears that there will be no “spring recess” although we believe Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13, 2020 will be considered holidays and counted as days of student attendance.
As per the March 30, 2020 email to you (See www.btfny.org, Latest News, News and Alerts), our contract is clear, any work beyond the contract would have to be agreed to with an MOU upon which you will vote.
Whether that will be necessary is unknown at this time.
For example, Regents Examinations may well be canceled; therefore, the school year can end earlier keeping within contractual requirements.
We are preparing for all scenarios involving our contract and the MOU we agreed to extending the 42 weeks to 43, while still keeping the 188 day max in our contract. In answer to some questions, our 188 day max is without working during spring break. If the school year for teachers were to continue as presently scheduled, we would obviously be over the 188 days.
Once again any changes or modification of the contract will be voted on by the Executive Committee, Council of Delegates and most importantly, you.
APPR
Obviously most teacher APPR’s will not be completed as required by our MOU, regulations and law.
Discussions are taking place in Albany to relax some of the regulations.
We will update you as changes become known.
Probationary Appointments/Tenure
Once again the timelines, etc. for the granting of tenure and issues involving probationary appointments will obviously have to be modified.
Discussions are also taking place in Albany to adjust these to reflect the realities that exist. We will keep you updated.
Confidentiality Concerns
We have again written the District to clarify exactly how programs, interactions with parents/students/teachers comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
Lesson Plans
Some administrators are insisting on teachers providing lesson plans?! Just remember, the Lesson Plan document approved by the District states:
“Primary purpose of plans is for the teacher. Teachers should make them as detailed as the teacher needs them.” (emphasis added)
Use of Personal Equipment
The contract says that the District must supply what you need, Article XI, pg. 20-23.
If you are in need of a computer (yours is broken, etc.) or other educational supplies, you should notify your principal and keep the correspondence.
We are aware of many of your other concerns and are forwarding them to the Superintendent. We will send you a copy of the latest correspondence to him when it is completed.
The staff is in constant contact with each other and “meet” by conference call at least twice a week. They are, as previously advised, available by email.
Please keep forwarding issues. We will continue to address them.
If an administrator (usually, the ones that have no idea how hard is it for teachers) threatens you or gives a directive that you believe is wrong, contact your Labor Relations Specialist, or the officers.
Jenna Burke – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Matt Kibler – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rob Mueller- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rebecca Pordum – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joseph Montante – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phil Rumore – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please take no chances. You are too important to your students, family and friends.
PR:su