MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          March 16, 2023 

Subject:    Negotiations

There seems to be confusion relating to the District going public with negotiation proposals.

First, you should know any agreements proposed by the District are considered “Package Proposals” requiring that “All other proposals made by both the district and the BTF be withdrawn”. In other words, the BTF must agree to all the issues/positions/proposals in the District’s package of proposals and drop ours.

Therefore, there are no raises, benefits, etc. that the Board is touting unless we agree to all their proposals and drop ours.
This is the reason that we cannot, with any certainty, say what has been proposed, as it could change.

Second, retiree healthcare is not the only issue remaining. The Board is demanding that the teachers’ work year go from forty-two (42) weeks to forty-three (43) weeks. Teachers have in the past agreed to a change to ensure there is a mid-winter recess, being able to determine when Professional Development before school opens occurs, and that extra snow days be negotiated.

If 43 weeks is agreed to, the Board can do what it chooses.

We are awaiting a counter offer regarding the above.

Bell Schedule – Start/End Times - This is not the same as the one voted on previously.

• For the 2023-2024 school year only. Not whenever they want to make a change as in the previous 2022 MOU voted on.
• Starting/Ending times no more than one-half hour, not one hour as previously required.
• Starting times no earlier than 7:25 and no later than 4:20 instead of 4:45 as previously required in previous (2022) MOU voted on.

Also,

• Must be to improve transportation of students and provide savings.
• Teachers will be notified in writing of any such change on or before May 1st of 2023 of the change to take effect for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Upon notification of said changes, teachers at the affected schools will be placed at the top of the transfer list for the upcoming school year based on their seniority; not in previous (2022) MOU voted on.
• Unless agreed to by the faculty of the affected schools, no other changes within the starting and ending times will occur; not in previous (2022) MOU voted on.
• Teachers’ hours of service shall not exceed 7 hours and 15 minutes; not in previous (2022) MOU voted on.
• 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. New

Once the Board has indicated that it is providing its final offer, our responsibility is to present it to you to approve or not approve.

In addition, a copy of any proposed contract approved first by the Board, will be sent to teachers before a ratification meeting.