Press Release
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2019
Teachers and Parents Take Action Against Buffalo School District for Depriving Students of Required Art and Music Instruction
Parents and teachers of Buffalo students have filed a legal action against the Buffalo Public Schools for undermining the education of their children by not providing the art and music courses required by New York State law.
“For over a year, parents and teachers have, to no avail, sought to have the Buffalo School Board provide Buffalo secondary students with State required art and music instruction/programs.”, stated Phil Rumore, President, BTF.
The legal papers (attached) cite the following lack of instruction/programs.
- Legally required arts sequence is only provided at 2 District High Schools.
- Concert Band and Orchestra are only offered at 4 District High Schools.
- The District does not equitably offer Arts education to students.
“While the art and music instruction/programs are readily available in the suburbs, not so in Buffalo, is the message here, Buffalo students are unworthy of these programs?” concluded Rumore.
The following have agreed to be interviewed in relation to this legal action.
- Amy J. Steiner – (716) 983-3085 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Carla Thomas – (716) 824-9070 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Marleen M. O’Connor – (716) 578-1381 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Donna DeLano-Kerr – (716) 827-0079 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Timothy Lyon – (716) 480-1599 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Eve Shippens – (716) 308-6063 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Lauriann Stephan – (716) 465-2814 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PR:su