MEMORANDUM

Memo To:    All Buffalo Teachers

From:          Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:           March 21, 2022

Subject:     Negotiations – 2022-2023 School Calendar – Ukraine Assistance

Negotiations
Attached (Click Here) is a copy of my correspondence to the Superintendent and Board in relation to the insulting and demeaning contract proposal it presented to us on Friday, March 18, 2022.

With the increase in the cost of living, increased payment toward healthcare (20%), having to work two (2) additional weeks for the same salary, none and/or minuscule raises, teachers would be making less than the poor salaries they are making now. This can not and will not stand.

If they are looking for a confrontation, they will get it.

• We will be holding an all teacher solidarity rally before the next scheduled Board of Education meeting on April 20, 2022. The place (since it’s not certain at this time) will be announced as will the time.
• We will be resuming negotiations with the PERB mediator, who has already been in contact with us.
• We will be scheduling other solidarity actions.
• We will begin preparing for other serious actions if they are required.

We can not and will not stand for these insults.

Stay Tuned.

2022-2023 School Calendar
Attached, please find a copy of the two (2) proposed 2022-2023 school calendars.

Calendar A (Click Here)
As in previous years, needs BTF approval. Forty-three (43) weeks requires MOU that would be for 2022-2023 only. Has not and will not undermine negotiations.

Calendar B (Click Here)
Can be implemented by Board unilaterally.

More Details
Version A

• 188 teacher days
• 43 consecutive weeks
• 6 Superintendent’s conference days (4 count towards student attendance)
• PD days August 31, September 1, 2022 (Wednesday and Thursday)
• Teacher set up day on Friday, September 2, 2022
• Students would begin on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, after Labor Day
• No school for elementary students on last day, June 23, 2023
• Provides February break
• Easter Monday (April 10, 2023) would be a school day
• Likely has teachers receiving first half check on September 9, 2022
• Aligns closely with BOCES calendar (differences delineated below)

Version B

• 188 teacher days
• 42 consecutive weeks, as per our Contract
• 6 Superintendent’s conference days (4 count towards student attendance)
• PD on September 6 & 7, 2022
• Teacher set up day on Thursday, September 8, 2022
• Students would begin on Friday, September 9, 2022
• No school the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, November 23, 2022)
• No February break
• Easter Monday (April 10, 2023) would be a school day
• No school for elementary students on last day, June 23, 2023
• Teachers would receive first half check on September 16, 2022

BOCES vs. Proposed BPS Calendar A

• BOCES has 43 consecutive weeks in their calendar
• BOCES has PD August 30 & 31, 2022. BPS would have PD/setup August 31, September 1 & 2, 2022
• BPS is off on Election Day (November 8, 2022), BOCES does not have off
• BOCES has off the day before Thanksgiving, November 23, 2022
• ALL calendars have Easter Monday (April 10, 2023) as a student attendance day

The Executive Committee and Council of Delegates will vote on whether to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the District if Calendar A is recommended. If not, Board can approve Calendar B unilaterally

Once an MOU is developed, it will be presented to teachers and then for an Executive Committee and Council of Delegates vote.

Ukraine – Support
The Buffalo Teachers Federation has been working with NYSUT to arrange a method for our members to assist the over 3 million refugees that have been forced to flee Ukraine and the Ukrainians that have continued to remain in their country. The link below will enable you to donate as a BTF member to the NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund. All donations will be credited to BTF and will go directly to the American Red Cross to assist the Ukrainian people during this time of war.

Click here to donate: https://nysut.cc/btfrelief

Let’s once again demonstrate that Buffalo teachers care deeply and will come to the aid of those in desperate need of our help.

From a teacher, “Thank you, BTF, for showing support for the Ukrainian people! My mom, uncle, grandma, other family members and friends are all in central Ukraine, and I feel helpless about not being able to do anything to stop the invasion. I appreciate so much the support from the BTF as well as from my school”.

Note: The Ukraine flag “stickers” still have not arrived. We will send them when they arrive.

BTF Press Release

BTF CALLS VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS A NATIONAL CRISIS