News, Alerts & Events
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: November 8, 2019
Subject: Updates/Concerns
Negotiations Update
As per the Executive Committee and Council of Delegates briefing, the BTF has filed for impasse in our negotiations, thereby seeking the assistance of the Public Relations Employee Board. A copy of the relevant sections are attached. (Impasse - Click Here)
As per the Executive Committee and Council of Delegates briefing, the BTF has filed for impasse in our negotiations, thereby seeking the assistance of the Public Relations Employee Board. A copy of the relevant sections are attached. (Impasse - Click Here)
We have also filed a second Improper Practice charge against the District – relevant sections attached. (2nd I.P. - Click Here)
Resolution – Unacceptable School Safety and Learning Conditions Passed Unanimously by the Executive Committee and Council of Delegates (Document I - Click Here)
We must no longer refer to “suspensions” but the designation should be “suspensions/District interventions” thereby making it clear that it is the responsibility of the District to ensure that District provided interventions are required whenever a student is suspended.
Survey – Unacceptable School Safety and Learning Conditions
It is only November and we are hearing of serious school safety and school learning condition concerns.
Please complete the School Safety and School Learning Conditions Survey that was emailed to you on November 7, 2019. You can also access the survey by Clicking Here.
Yes, it will take time in addition to all the other, all too often, meaningless tasks you have to perform; however, we need to detail and make known the real issues interfering with our students learning conditions.
We will be issuing follow-ups through-out the year.
Special Education Survey
More and more issues are being raised to students not receiving the special education services they need and are entitled to receive under the law.
Please email us of any lack of services that a referred or currently identified student is not receiving, e.g. student awaiting placement for an excessive period of time, student not receiving requiring additional services (healthcare aide, etc.), required by their IEP.
Please send any such concerns to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be assured we will act on their behalf. Teachers are encouraged to email us special education issues/concerns as they arise throughout the year.
Teacher Personnel Files
Under the Contract:
XVI. F. pg. 34
No derogatory letters or reports shall be placed in a teachers file without the teacher’s knowledge and an opportunity to make a written statement of defense to be attached to the derogatory statement.
XIII. D. pg. 29
Teachers shall have the right, upon request, to review the contents of their official personnel file, except confidential information supplied at the request of the Administration for the purpose of obtaining employment or promotion.
Also, as per an arbitration decision:
- Teachers also have a right to see what is in their building file, with reasonable notice, to the administrator.
- If a document is placed in either the teachers district personnel file or the school file without their being notified, it must be removed.
Replying to BTF Emails
The email address that BTF emails come from (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) is for outgoing emails only. Please do not attempt to respond (Reply) to email messages as it is not monitored for responses.
The email address that BTF emails come from (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) is for outgoing emails only. Please do not attempt to respond (Reply) to email messages as it is not monitored for responses.
If you have any question or concerns, please contact the BTF at (716) 881-5400.
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MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: November 13, 2019
Subject: Updates
“Snow Days”
Also Note: While stating that the schools in your area are closed, in and of itself, may not be used as the sole reason for not being able to report in Buffalo, it can be used as evidence that you could not report in Buffalo.
Evaluations/Observations
Evaluations/Observations
This is the complete document.
You should note, pages 4-7 give an overview:
You should note, pages 4-7 give an overview:
- One (1) announced/one (1) unannounced unless the teacher received an Ineffective in the previous year.
- Announced – Pre-meeting to set date/time and what will be covered – Teacher or administrator can request one (1) additional observation.
- Unannounced – Month during which will take place made known. One postponement allowed.
- No Observations
- Month of September
- Before or After Thanksgiving, on Halloween, Winter (Christmas) Break, Mid-Winter (February) Break, Spring (Easter) Break.
- During the last three (3) weeks of instruction in June.
- Not all indicators must be observed/evaluated (see example pg. 27, 28 & 29)
- There are two different evaluation procedures
- 3012-d teachers (pg. 12, 15, 17, 39)
- non-3012-d teachers (pg. 13, 14, 16, 18, 40)
- Teachers receiving an overall Ineffective (I) rating can challenge the evaluation (pg. 24-25)
- Under the Contract – XIII, C.
“Although teacher evaluation is not subject to the grievance procedure, a teacher may have an evaluation reviewed at a meeting with the Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services and/or the Superintendent of Schools. If the teacher requests, a teacher representative designated by the Federation may accompany the teacher at such meeting.”
Penalizing Teachers for Being Ill
Some principals are attempting to penalize teachers for being ill under guise of rewarding teachers who have perfect, or in their opinion, excellent attendance.
- This is an insult to teachers – i.e. you are not really sick, you are just taking a day off.
- If you have caught a cold, etc. from one of your students (there is usually one who is ill), you don’t get the reward.
- If a member of your family is ill – too bad.
- Pregnant – too bad.
- Come to school with a cold or flu so that your students and staff catch it?
No building committee can agree to this. It is a violation of our contract and something that the District had sought and is seeking in our negotiations.
NO!!
School Safety/Learning Conditions Survey
Thus far, after only three days, we have received 252 responses to our survey.
Teachers have until December 2, 2019 to complete it. We obviously need a significant response for the District and others to accept the results.
Please take the time to complete it. You can complete/take it multiple times to complete your input.
As per #13 of the survey, teachers should be aware of the following contract provisions.
NO!!
School Safety/Learning Conditions Survey
Thus far, after only three days, we have received 252 responses to our survey.
Teachers have until December 2, 2019 to complete it. We obviously need a significant response for the District and others to accept the results.
Please take the time to complete it. You can complete/take it multiple times to complete your input.
As per #13 of the survey, teachers should be aware of the following contract provisions.
- XVIII C. (4) - Regardless of the cause of any pupil difficulty, no teacher or class is ever required to tolerate any act of gross misconduct, including flagrant discourtesy, abusive and vile language, acts of violence, and deliberate insubordination. The teacher has the right to remove any pupil whose behavior repeatedly disrupts the learning atmosphere of the class. The pupil shall not be readmitted until the teacher has conferred with the principal or assistant principal involved. The pupil shall not be returned to the same class until the teacher and administrator have discussed the basis on which improvement can be expected. If it is mutually agreed that the pupil’s behavior cannot be expected to improve another placement will be provided.
- XVIII A. - The teacher involved shall be consulted by the principal before the principal takes action thereunder, and the principal shall inform the teacher of the action taken. If the teacher believes such action to be inappropriate, the matter may be referred for review through the first three steps of the grievance procedure.
- If Applicable - XVIII B. - Upon the menace or assault (as defined in the New York State Penal Law) of a teacher by a pupil, the teacher shall submit a sworn affidavit outlining the facts and circumstances to the Principal and to the Federation. Upon receipt of the affidavit, the principal shall immediately suspend the pupil and request a formal suspension. No such pupil shall be returned to the same classroom against the desire of the teacher if the charges which led to the suspension are upheld in the formal hearing.
Changing Diapers
It is not the responsibility of teachers to change diapers.
The principal/administrator should assign someone other than the teacher.
If the principal/administrator is ordering you to change diapers, ask for the directive in writing. You can inform them that the BTF has advised you to do so.
There are State guidelines for changing diapers (See Attached)
If you are ordered to change diapers, please notify the BTF and submit a copy of the principal’s directive or if the principal/administrator has refused or not done so, indicate that.
Send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Retired Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: November 18, 2019
Subject: Unilateral Changes to Your Healthcare
We have received copies of the proposed changes to your healthcare.
You are to receive the healthcare benefits to which you were entitled to when you retired.
There can be no unilateral changes. We have agreed to no changes other than those for teachers who retired under our last contract. The contract is on our website (www.btfny.org).
We will be filing a grievance and pursuing litigation on this issue.
Stay Tuned.
You are to receive the healthcare benefits to which you were entitled to when you retired.
There can be no unilateral changes. We have agreed to no changes other than those for teachers who retired under our last contract. The contract is on our website (www.btfny.org).
We will be filing a grievance and pursuing litigation on this issue.
Stay Tuned.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Retired Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: December 2, 2019
Subject: Updates
You Are Amazing
Thanks to you, hundreds of families not only had food for Thanksgiving, but also hundreds of families will receive food in the upcoming weeks. As always, food is picked-up for distribution by The Community Action Organization, Buffalo City Mission, The Gloria Parks Community Center, Native American Community Services, Fulgham Family Foundation and Women for Human Rights and Dignity.
An initial list of the schools who brought food is as follows; D’Youville Porter Campus #3, BEST School #6, Hillery Park #27, Bilingual Center #33, International School #45, School #48@39, Adult Learning Center #46, George Blackman ECC #54, Roosevelt Academy #65, Houghton Academy #69, Lorraine Elementary #72, Herman Badillo #76, Southside Elementary #93, Harvey Austin #97, South Park HS #206, Lafayette International #207, Leonardo daVinci #212, Emerson HS #302, Hutch Tech #304, Middle Early College #335 Bioinformatics School #366, and The Buffalo Teacher Center, #910.
A special thank you to the students from Hutch Tech who came over to help pack the food on Monday, November 25, 2019 and helped take the food to the charities trucks and cars on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.
More to follow in the next Provocator (Click Here).
This was one of our most successful food drives, as you will see in the Provocator.
Thank you again.
School Safety Survey
If you haven’t completed the school safety survey, please do so. The District is counting on a low response to undermine its validity.
Time to Complete IEP’s, etc.
Questions have arisen relating to time for teachers to complete IEP’s.
As per the contract, you must receive the following (this is not a suggestions. This is what is required under the contract).
Please also note the new language relating to integrating a student into the general education setting.
Thanks to you, hundreds of families not only had food for Thanksgiving, but also hundreds of families will receive food in the upcoming weeks. As always, food is picked-up for distribution by The Community Action Organization, Buffalo City Mission, The Gloria Parks Community Center, Native American Community Services, Fulgham Family Foundation and Women for Human Rights and Dignity.
An initial list of the schools who brought food is as follows; D’Youville Porter Campus #3, BEST School #6, Hillery Park #27, Bilingual Center #33, International School #45, School #48@39, Adult Learning Center #46, George Blackman ECC #54, Roosevelt Academy #65, Houghton Academy #69, Lorraine Elementary #72, Herman Badillo #76, Southside Elementary #93, Harvey Austin #97, South Park HS #206, Lafayette International #207, Leonardo daVinci #212, Emerson HS #302, Hutch Tech #304, Middle Early College #335 Bioinformatics School #366, and The Buffalo Teacher Center, #910.
A special thank you to the students from Hutch Tech who came over to help pack the food on Monday, November 25, 2019 and helped take the food to the charities trucks and cars on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.
More to follow in the next Provocator (Click Here).
This was one of our most successful food drives, as you will see in the Provocator.
Thank you again.
School Safety Survey
If you haven’t completed the school safety survey, please do so. The District is counting on a low response to undermine its validity.
Time to Complete IEP’s, etc.
Questions have arisen relating to time for teachers to complete IEP’s.
As per the contract, you must receive the following (this is not a suggestions. This is what is required under the contract).
Please also note the new language relating to integrating a student into the general education setting.
Article XXIII I. (pg. 42-43)
I. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
By first using the resources available in the school and other resources if deemed necessary and authorized by the District, the District shall provide planning time for teachers to complete the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) forms. It is understood that such planning time may be full or half days of released time when classes are otherwise in session. When the Committee on Special Education (CSE) meets to review the case of a referred child, the referring teacher will be sent notice of the meeting. By first using the resources available in the school and other resources if deemed necessary and authorized by the District, the referring teacher will be permitted to attend meetings of the committee. The process of integrating a student with a disability into the general education setting shall include conferences between the referring teacher and the receiving teacher. The teacher designated to participate when a student’s initial classification and/or level of service is before the Committee on Special Education, shall have a vote at the CSE meeting if said vote is permitted by applicable State and Federal regulations.
Absurd Caseloads/Extraneous Tasks
If you haven’t submitted the information from the October 10, 2019 correspondence, please do now. Please send the information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please list extraneous duties assigned that adversely impact the time available to perform your student support services.
PR:su
If you haven’t submitted the information from the October 10, 2019 correspondence, please do now. Please send the information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please list extraneous duties assigned that adversely impact the time available to perform your student support services.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Retired Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: December 18, 2019
Subject: Health Insurance Grievance Survey
In order for the Buffalo Teachers Federation to prepare for a grievance and legal action regarding the unilateral changes to retiree healthcare benefits that will be implemented on January 1, 2020, please complete the attached survey and return it to Matthew Kibler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ASAP. Feel free to write comments or attach additional pages explaining in detail your suggestions and concerns.
Please be advised that this survey only applies to those who select Medicare Advantage.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact the BTF at (716) 881-5400.
Please be advised that this survey only applies to those who select Medicare Advantage.
If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact the BTF at (716) 881-5400.
If you know of a Bufflao retiree for whom we might not have their address, please forward this to them.
Thank you.
Thank you.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: December 13, 2019
Subject: Rochester Teacher Layoffs
Over one hundred fifty (150) Rochester teachers will be laid off next week as a result of a newly discovered sixty-eight million dollar ($68 million) deficit. Yes, right before the holidays.
While the District is being investigated and audited, that will not prevent the layoffs that are to be voted on by the Rochester School Board on Thursday, December 19, 2019.
We have been in contact with the teachers’ union President, Adam Urbanski, with whom we have worked for many years.
The Rochester teachers would appreciate our support by forwarding a copy of the separate email you will receive (Click Here) that was sent to the following or by sending your own message to them.
| Superintendent Terry Dade: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| RCSD BoE Members: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
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| Mayor Lovely Warren: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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| NYS Board of Regents: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Assembly Member David Gantt: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | |
| Adam Urbanski: | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
As teachers who care about the education of Rochester students and their families, let’s show our Rochester colleagues and students that Buffalo teachers are fighting alongside of them and for them.
PR:su
Click Here for a Copy of the Letter of Support for the Rochester Teachers
Important Information
Buffalo Teachers Federation
The Buffalo Teachers Federation is the professional union that represents over 3800 contract, probationary and temporary teachers of the Buffalo Public Schools.
The BTF is proud to be a member of New York State United Teachers and affiliated nationally with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.
We invite you to explore our website for information and resources specifically for our members and retirees.
The BTF is proud to be a member of New York State United Teachers and affiliated nationally with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.
We invite you to explore our website for information and resources specifically for our members and retirees.
Calendar
March 2025
| 13 | Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm | |
| 13 | Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm | |
| 25 | BTF Retirement Seminar |
April 2025
| 11 | BTF Office Closed at 4:00 pm | |
| 14-21 | Spring Recess | |
| 24 | Executive Committee Meeting - 5:30 pm | |
| 24 | Council of Delegates Meeting - 7:00 pm | |
Office Information
Mailing Address:
Buffalo Teachers Federation
271 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14201
Buffalo, New York 14201
Phone: 716-881-5400
Supplemental Benefit Fund:
Phone: 716-881-5462
Fax: 716-881-0580
Fax: 716-881-0580
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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