MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 18, 2023 

Subject:    Negotiations Updates

We made sufficient progress today to believe that we will be able to finalize a contract proposal at our meeting with the District on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Also, on Friday, April 21, 2023:

• It will be voted on by the Board.
• We will have copies emailed to teachers for your review.

We are scheduling a ratification meeting at Kleinhans on Monday, April 24, 2023. (Details to Follow)

Since everything is tentative, neither side will release any possible details until they have been finalized.

We are almost there and with your continued solidarity, we will have a great contract.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 24, 2023 

Subject:    Ratification Vote

The vote on the ratification of the proposed contract was as follows:

1,852      98.7%      I vote to APPROVE ratification of the proposed BTF/BPS Collective Bargaining Agreement (Contract).

25            1.3%      I vote to AGAINST ratification of the proposed BTF/BPS Collective Bargaining Agreement (Contract).

0              0%        I ABSTAIN from voting on ratification of the proposed BTF/BPS Collective Bargaining Agreement (Contract).

Total Votes Cast 1,877

Note the 10% bonus will be a separate check.

The district will be providing timelines for the other payments.

Thank you for your support. We would not have achieved what we have without your support, solidarity and patience.

Note: We did not obtain the 3 step removal until March 14, 2023 and the September 1, 2022 retroactivity until April 18, 2023.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 24, 2023 

Subject:    Contract Ratification

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 27, 2023 

Subject:    2023-2024 School Calendar

Attached, please find copies of the two (2) proposed 2023-2024 school calendars.

Calendar B (Click Here)
As in previous years, needs BTF approval. Forty-three (43) weeks requires MOU that would be for 2023-2024 only.

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

More Details
Version B

• 188 teacher days
• 43 consecutive weeks
• 7 Superintendent’s conference days (4 count towards student attendance)
• PD days September 5 & 6, 2023 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
• Teacher set up day on Thursday, September 7, 2023
• Students would begin on Friday, September 8, 2023
• No school for elementary students on last two days, June 26 and 27, 2024
• Provides February break
• Likely has teachers receiving first half check on September 15, 2023
• Aligns closely with BOCES calendar (differences delineated below)
• Appears to provide five (5) snow days

Version C

• 188 teacher days
• 42 consecutive weeks, as per our Contract
• 7 Superintendent’s conference days (4 count towards student attendance)
• PD on September 11 & 12, 2023
• Teacher set up day on Wednesday, September 13, 2023
• Students would begin on Thursday, September 14, 2023
• No February break
• School would start a full week after Labor Day
• No school for elementary students on last two days, June 26 & 27, 2024
• Likely has teachers receiving first half check on September 22, 2023
• Seems to provide five (5) snow days

BOCES vs. Proposed BPS Calendar B

• BOCES has 44 consecutive weeks in their calendar, BPS has 43
• BOCES starts August 30, BPS starts September 5
• BOCES works on August 30, 31 (BPS teachers off those days)
• BOCES is off November 22, 2023 and May 24, 2024 (BPS works those days)
• BPS is off on Election Day (November 7th)
• BOCES ends June 26 but BPS ends June 27, 2024

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

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 8, 2023 

Subject:    Salaries, School Calendar, Eve Shippens

Salaries
The District is working toward the goal of having the negotiated salary increases in your next check (May 19, 2023).

We will work with them to address any discrepancies.

We will send more information as it becomes available.

School Calendar
The vote on the proposed 2023-2024 calendar was:

92.04% (1,828) Support the BTF entering into an MOU for the proposed forty-three (43) week calendar for the 2023-2024 school year only.

6.75% (134) Do not support the BTF entering into an MOU for the proposed forty-three (43) week calendar for the 2023-2024 school year only.

1.21% (24) Abstained from voting on the BTF entering into an MOU for the proposed forty-three (43) week calendar for the 2023-2024 school year only.

Total Votes - 1986

We will therefore sign our usual MOU allowing for the forty-three (43) week calendar for 2023-2024 only.

Eve Shippens for Buffalo Common Council
The BTF PAC, Executive Committee and Council of Delegates have proudly endorsed one of our own Buffalo teachers, Eve Shippens, for Buffalo Common Council.

Please support her in her race for North District Buffalo Common Council.

Join her for a fundraiser June 2nd, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at 322 Amherst Street. Get your ticket at bit.ly/party4eve!

If you can't make it, there are other ways to support her. Volunteer at https://eveshippens4north.com/get-involved or donate at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/shippens4north.

Thank you!

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          May 11, 2023 

Subject:    “Three Bell” - Schools Starting/Ending Time Changes

As you may have heard, last evening the Board was presented with a proposed “Three Bell” / Schools Starting and Ending Time Change proposal.

The proposal, which was shared with principals during the day, would attempt to implement starting and ending time changes at all schools. Schedule Changes. (Click Here) Complete Document Presented to Superintendent and Board. (Click Here)

The procedure agreed to as part of our contract and significantly different from the previous one is (Click Here).

In response to some questions:

ii. It is clear “teachers at the affected schools will be placed at the top of the transfer list for the upcoming school year based on their seniority”

Our position is that all teachers affected seeking a transfer will be paced at the top of the transfer lists in place of any lists already compiled. No transfers have taken place.

We are seeking to have the two (2) year, no transfer requirement for a newly transferred teachers, waived.

We will work with the District to develop a procedure for those who want to transfer once the Board approves the “plan”.

Note:
iii. “Unless agreed to by the faculty of the affected schools, no other changes within the starting and ending times will occur.” (Emphasis added)

vii. Prior to the implementation of the change, the District agrees to hold a community meeting at each impacted school to receive feedback from the school community. (Emphasis added) That means staff and parents at a minimum.

We are working with the Board to clarify the procedures.

If there are problems with the implementation, please contact your LRS (Click Here).

Stay Tuned.