MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 19, 2021

Subject:     School Reopening Update

The following schools/sites have submitted a BTF School/Site Health and Safety Assessment. (Click Here) The completed assessment for each school was included in our last email to all teachers. (Click Here)

They (Click Here) were to be completed by the Delegate Chairperson and/or Building Committee.

We assume they are up to date.

They will, if necessary, be used in court to prevent the opening of schools whose conditions and procedures risk the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

If you are a delegate and/or Building Committee member and need the assessment link re-sent to you, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We know you are overwhelmed; however, we would like to have information on additional schools/sites. The assessment has been shortened to take less time to complete.

As we can see from the two schools in Niagara Falls that had to close, the virus is omnipresent. Hopefully, it wasn’t spread in the two schools and no one is permanently harmed.

While some may disagree and hurl insults, we must and will remain focused on ensuring that our schools are and remain safe for our students, teachers, parents, staff and community.

Please stay safe. Take no chances.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 28, 2021

Subject:     Re-Opening Updates

Legal Action – Reopening
Legal action will be taken to prevent the unsafe opening of schools on Monday, February 1, 2021. NYSUT has assigned two attorneys and has been working with our staff to prevent the reopening of our schools on Monday, February 1, 2021.

We thank NYSUT for its continued advocacy and support to ensure the safety and health of our teachers, students, parents, staff and community.

Details will follow after our papers are submitted.

Important Short ALL Teacher Survey
Please click on the link below to take the shirt School Reopening Heath and Safety Survey as soon as possible.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/72DX3Z7

Please see the attached BTF Press Release regarding the Re-Opening of Schools by Clicking Here.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 27, 2020

Subject:     Updates

Legal Challenge to Reopening Buffalo Schools
Awaiting response from NYSUT regarding Court Action.

COVID-19 Testing
The form that we have seen asking teachers if they are willing to be tested indicated that it is voluntary and can be rescinded. (Click Here) If you are advised that you must be tested, contact your LRS. (Click Here)

BTF Health and Safety Assessment
The assessment link has been sent to your Delegate and Building Committee members. The results thus far are here (Click Here) (Click Here).

Some principals are working with their staff to correct the ones they can. Many can not be done easily.

We realize that Delegates and Building Committee members are being overwhelmed and are having difficulty acquiring the information, but when you can, please complete as much as you can.

This information and other issues that you have sent is being forwarded to the District. Names are removed.
We are forwarding these concerns to the District so that it is aware of them and can correct them.

We will be surveying schools on a regular basis or as schools believe they should be updated.

We have been advised that the Superintendent is inspecting some of the buildings. If you see him, you should feel free to express your concerns and also anything positive.

SLO’s
As we work to have all state tests suspended, we have just learned that principals apparently have the authority to delay submission.

While the deadline for submitting SLO’s is January 28, 2021, if you need an extension, please contact your principal in writing to request an extension. If your request is denied, please contact your LRS.

When Schools Reopen
I can not and do not advise all teachers to not report to school when they are reopened. That would be a strike.

Under the Taylor Law:

• Teachers would lose two (2) days pay for each day considered to be on strike.
• The existing contract would no longer be in effect. Currently an existing contract remains in place until a new one is negotiated unless there is a strike.
• The union would be fined.

If you have any questions relating to your particular circumstances, please contact your LRS.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 29, 2021

Subject:     Important Short BTF All Teacher Survey

Please complete and encourage your colleagues to complete, the attached all teacher survey.

NOTE: The secretaries and staff were sent home early today as a result of a threat to NYSUT and BTF.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/72DX3Z7

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 30, 2021

Subject:     BTF Court Case/Reopening Caution

BTF Court Case
Attached please find copies of the court documents filed and developed by NYSUT attorneys in Albany and New York City (Click Here).

We await the assignment of a judge. How long that will take is up to the courts.

Although, as you can see from the documents, our case is compelling, and as you also remember, the courts are not often willing to take such a courageous stand.

We will see.

As you read through the documents, please note that the District refused our offer to have an independent hygienist, that we would fund, inspect its buildings. What does that tell you?

District Warning Correspondence
Attached, please find a copy of a correspondence from the District (Click Here).

As stated in a previous, January 27, 2021 email, any such actions would be considered a strike.

Under the Taylor Law:

• Teachers would lose two (2) days pay for each day they are considered to be on strike.
• The existing contract would no longer be in effect. Currently an existing contract remains in place until a new one is negotiated, unless there is a strike.
• The union would be fined.

If you have any questions relating to your particular circumstances, please contact your LRS (Click Here).

BTF Health and Safety Assessment
The BTF Health and Safety Assessment will be sent to your Delegates and Building Committee. We would like it completed as soon as possible after February 1, 2021, when teachers report to the buildings and also as conditions in the schools/sites change for the better or worse.

Please stay well. Take no chances.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 31, 2021

Subject:     Reopening Unhealthy/Unsafe Conditions

Since we do not have a judge assigned or a court date, and teachers will be reporting, please advise us of any unhealthy and unsafe conditions in your building/site.

Please advise your Delegates and/or Building Committee members to complete our BTF Health and Safety Assessment with the information they and you have. You can also send it to your LRS (Click Here).

If you can, please provide any pictures of unsafe and unhealthy conditions you find.

So we can use it in court, you should be willing to sign an affidavit stating your name, where and when it was taken and a brief explanation of the issue.

Please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will continue to fight for the well-being of your students, parents, staff and community.

Please stay safe. Take no chances.

PR:su