MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 19, 2021

Subject:     Updates, COVID-19, Negotiations, Etc.

COVID-19
Thank you for keeping us informed of the COVID-19 issues in your school/site. We are forwarding them to the Superintendent, Board, parent organizations and when necessary, to the media.

Teachers, who are also under great stress, want to be back with their students; however, we must continue to ensure that it is and remains safe for all.

Much has been said about the confirmed cases not occurring in schools. First, most of our students aren’t in school. Second, what if the over 300 identified students had been in schools?

Together we can and will ensure that our students are back and that the conditions are and remain safe for all. To follow the daily District Log of COVID-19 cases, Click Here.

If they are not correct contact your LRS (Click Here) and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Negotiations
As you know, the BTF, District and Mediator, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe financial problems of the District, all agreed to put negotiations on hold until conditions improved.

The date agreed upon was April 14, 2021.

The District and PERB-appointed mediator have been informed that the BTF is ready to resume negotiations as soon as the mediator and the District can schedule meetings.

Obviously, in light of the historic State and Federal resources, that are just now and will in the future be available, our decision to pause negotiations was correct. We now have far greater resources available than we had previously.

As you know, the BTF has, with NYSUT and our legislators, been fighting to restore what is called Foundation Aid.

Foundation Aid is the aid that was to come to school districts as a result of New York State being found guilty of violating its constitution by not providing all students with “a sound basic education”.

We have continued to point out and to fight for (to all in government – yes, also the governor), that our students have been deprived of over millions of dollars in Foundation Aid.

We have also continued to support Michael Rebell, lead attorney in the first case, on a current case.

The funding formula will now be phased in: 50% year 1, 75% year 2 and 100% year 3.

We are working with NYSUT to clarify how the Federal Funding can also be used.

As we have always said, with your continued solidarity, we will achieve a contract that reflects your dedication and commitment to our students and to each other, one not just comparable to surrounding districts, but superior to them.

You deserve and will receive nothing less.

Stay tuned.

Scholarships Available
Scholarships funded by a BTF settlement, earmarked first for the children of Buffalo teachers, are being administered by The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.

Scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year will be awarded this spring.

Students who currently are high school seniors or are already enrolled in an accredited program are encouraged to apply.

Money is allocated first for the children of Buffalo Teachers. Awards range from $1000-$6000.

The application process opened on January 1st and closes May 1st.

To apply, visit www.cfgb.org and click on the ‘Scholarships’ tab. You also may call the CFGB at 852-2857.

Please stay well, take no chances.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 28, 2021

Subject:     Negotiations Updates

As per our last email, we met with the Public Employment Relations Board appointed mediator and three members of the District’s negotiating team on Monday, April 26, 2021.

We discussed where we left off, how to proceed (with or without the mediator present… we suggested he be present).

We decided that since some larger venues are available, we will attempt to meet in person, e.g. Waterfront Auditorium, the meeting space at the new Emerson, etc.

The mediator will now contact us with dates that he is available. The availability of the sites will then be checked.

We have sent correspondence to the mediator and District checking to ensure that we all have the most up-to-date documents.

We will keep you updated as we proceed.

In response to some teachers whose Delegates could not attend our last Council of Delegates meeting, where we briefed the Delegates on some of the District’s and our proposals, here are some of the District’s proposals.

District’s Proposals

• Teachers pay 20% towards their healthcare (current premiums - $9,720 – Single, $21,491 – Family)
• Teaching periods from 5 periods to 6 periods
• School year from forty-two (42) weeks to forty-four (44) weeks
• No retiree healthcare
• Personal days from five (5) to three (3) days
• Remove Art, Music and PE for PreK-6
• Faculty meetings from ten (10) meetings to twenty (20) meetings
• Eliminate waiver pool for teachers who have other coverage (teachers paid (underpaid) for opting out)
  

Oh, and their salary offer – 1.5% over the current salary.

The District apparently believes they can bully us and that we will appease them. Work with the mediator, yes. Bend to their demands and drop our Improper Practice (I.P.) charges against them for bargaining in bad faith… not now, not ever.

Cooperate, yes, capitulate never.

Some of the BTF’s over 80 proposals, in addition to seeking lower class sizes/class loads for all teachers are:

• Weighting students for class sizes based on years behind, ELL, Special Ed, etc.
• All teachers 45-minute prep
• Increased supply funding
• Teacher decides on lesson plans, APPR protections
• School safety

Some retroactive salary proposals:

• That BS starting step be the average of BIG 5, plus Albany, minus Buffalo. This is much greater than the surrounding Districts
• Continue to decrease steps to maximum
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
• Grad Credit, BS +90, MS+90
• Additional money to pay for increased SBF Benefits
• No percentage payment for healthcare

These are but a few of the over eighty (80) BTF proposals. A summary of all BTF and District proposals was sent out previously.

We will continue to keep you updated. As you may remember, there may come a time when the mediator has both parties cease disclosure of negotiations. Until then, we will continue to update you.

Remember, we expect a contract not just comparable to surrounding districts, but superior to them.

Our continued solidarity and strength will ensure this.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 23, 2021

Subject:     Updates, COVID-19, Negotiations, Etc.

Our agreement with the PERB Mediator and District to put negotiations/mediation on hold expired on April 14, 2021.

We then immediately contacted the mediator and District advising them that we were prepared to resume negations as soon as the mediator’s schedule permitted.

The meeting will be on Monday, April 26, 2021. At that time, we, with the mediator’s assistance, will determine where we left off, future meetings, agendas, etc.

The mediator will be determining the process.

The Council of Delegates was briefed on some of the issues, e.g. proposals, funding, etc.

We will keep you updated as advised by the mediator.

With your continued solidarity and support, we will continue to fight for a contract that is not just comparable to those in surrounding districts, but superior to them.

Stay tuned.

Administrators Subverting SBMTs
Once again, some administrators are attempting to subvert the authority of the School Based Management Teams (SBMTs). We have sent correspondence to the District Committee of Stakeholders, the Committee charged with overseeing and implementing the “District Plan for School Based Planning and Shared Decision Making”. (Click Here)

The parents and others share our concern that in too many instances they are cut out of decision making.

We will be meeting with them to ensure that all share in the decisions.

Enclosed, please find a copy of the email sent to all teachers on November 10, 2020, where important information relating to SBMTs is delineated. See “School Reopening Plans” (Click Here)

As you know, every October or November we have had a two (2) day leadership workshop for Delegates, Alternates, Building Committee members and teachers who wish to attend. Obviously, one was not held this past year.

However, each attendee is given a very large binder with many important documents for use in their school.

In it is a copy of the Site Based Document approved by the Board, which I review with all participants each year.

If someone in your building has attended one of the workshops, you might want to ask them to let you review it, as it has much information in it. Some leave a copy in the faculty room.

Just in case there isn’t one available, attached is a complete copy of the approved District plan (Click Here). If you have any questions, please call. It has also been posted to the BTF website (Click Here).

We will continue to work with parents and others to ensure that decisions are made by the SBMTs, as required by the document. Feel free to share the document with your administrator(s).

Daily Health Screener “Forms”
We have received concerns that some administrators are developing their own Health Screening “Forms” and some go beyond what is required.

We are in the process of checking with our attorneys to determine what can/cannot be required, confidentiality, etc.

We will be advising the District that there should be an agreed uniform “form” with guaranteed confidentiality that complies with the laws and regulations.

Once we receive answers from our attorneys, we will forward our correspondence to the District relating this to you.

School Calendar
The Board has approved the 2021-2022 school calendar we approved (Click Here).

In addition, this year, June 18, 2021 will be considered a holiday (Juneteenth).

School Safety
We continue to fight to ensure that our schools are and remain safe. Enclosed, please find a copy of correspondence sent to Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, Dr. Gale R. Burstein and Superintendent Dr. Cash. (Click Here)

Thank you for keeping us informed of incidents of confirmed cases of COVID-19 that do not appear on the District’s website. (Click Here)

BTF Welcome Back Posters
Some teachers have requested additional BTF “Welcome Back Posters” for their rooms and school/site.
We have additional ones available.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the number of smaller (classroom) and larger (school) posters you would like. We will send them in the pony.

Council of Delegates Building Elections
Next week we will circulate a By-Law change that will permit the option of holding building elections either in person or via email (Election Buddy).

Unemployment Fraud
In addition to the information sent to you by the District relating to unemployment fraud perpetrated against Board employees, the following was forwarded to us by one of our NYSTRS delegates. (Click Here)

Please stay well, take no chances.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          April 29, 2021

Subject:     BTF Action to Secure Cyberattack Information

The District has refused to provide answers to teachers and parents who have asked whether their personal information has been compromised/breached as a result of the cyberattack on the District. The District has refused, saying it could not answer the inquiries, as the attack/breach is part of an ongoing investigation.

While we, obviously, don’t want to interfere with the cyberattack investigation, we should be advised by the agency doing the investigation, of the need and reasons for withholding the information.

Based upon NYSUT’s analysis/suggestions, we have sent the attached to the District. (Click Here)

We have been in contact with parents, who are also being denied the information. They are also trying to secure said information. They will, as we usually have with issues of mutual concern, be sent a copy of the correspondence to the Superintendent.

PR:ls