MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 18, 2021

Subject:     COVID Boosters - Updates

COVID Boosters – Release Time
Although teachers have advised us that they are being denied four (4) hours of “paid leave” to obtain “booster shots”, we have advised the District that this is a violation of the law.

Enclosed, please find a copy of the document that we sent to the District. Page two (2) has the relevant section; however, the other sections also have important information. (Click Here)

If you are denied “paid leave” to obtain your “booster shot”, please advise your LRS (Click Here). You might want to show this to your administrator.

Negotiations
* We received notification from our friend Michael Rebell and his associates at the Center for Educational Equity that they have now reached an agreement with New York State and the Courts that will require New York State to provide what is called Foundation Aid education payments, as was publicized, i.e. 50% of what is due for the 2021-2022 school year, 75% 2022-2023 and 100% 2023-2024. ($4.2 billion by 2023-2024)

The critical part is that, unlike previously, the case is on hold with the courts. If the State follows through, the case will be dismissed. If not, the plaintiffs will be able to seek an expedited trial to secure the promised funding.

We finally have the courts, unlike in the past, retaining jurisdiction to ensure that our funding will increase at what was agreed to.

Even after three years, if the State shortchanges us, we will go back to court.

The development is obviously important to the District and our negotiations.

Until now the District could say, as in the past, the State could stop its funding increase with impunity because the courts had not retained jurisdiction. Not now, however. The courts have consistently ruled in our favor.

* As you know, the next important information we will be using to complete our financial analysis is what is called the District’s ST-3. It must be filed with New York State by October 31, 2021.

While we all wanted a contract in place much sooner, we are in a far better position now.

We will not jump into a contract just to have it done.

You deserve more… no, very, very, much more.

Students with Disabilities – Incorrect Placement
We are receiving serious concerns relating to the improper/harmful placement of students with serious disabilities, some of whom should receive more intensive care from an outside agency.

The District has advised some teachers that the agencies have no vacancy.

We’ll be checking on whether it’s just Buffalo students for whom there is no vacancy.

We need to know the extent of the problem. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following:

Your name, grade, school, student(s) exhibiting serious disabilities who need more intense assistance (including their behavioral problems).

We will take whatever actions are necessary to secure the services these students need and deserve.

NOTE: This is also impacting negatively on the other students.

Please stay well. Take no chances

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 25, 2021

Subject:     COVID Boosters - Updates

Attached (Click Here), please find a copy of our demand to negotiate the impact of the District’s Friday, October 22, 2021, “Requirement for COVID-19 Testing - With Opt-Out for Vaccinated” correspondence.

If you have additional concerns, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We are also having our attorneys review the “waiver” provision that teachers are being required to sign to relieve companies from “any and all liability claims” associated with the COVID-19 testing.

Stay Tuned.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 14, 2021

Subject:     Supplemental Benefit Fund

As you may know, we have, for months, been working with our computer company, computer programmers, etc. to correct the problems in processing dental claims.

Each time they appear fixed, it again breaks down.

The problems resulting from the pandemic didn’t help. The SBF is working very hard to process the back-log as many waited until the pandemic eased some to go to the dentist. This exacerbated an already difficult situation.

We have reached out to NYSUT’s IT department for assistance or the name of a company that specializes in such issues.

As we have reported, we have been working for many months to transition to Delta Dental, a company that will handle our dental claims.

Teachers will have a card or phone app that can be shown to the dentist. The need to submit forms will be eliminated.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          October 28, 2021

Subject:     District Testing/Vaccine Mandate/Other Updates

COVID Testing/Vaccination
Yes, there are differences relating to mandating vaccinations, masks, etc. There always will be differences.
What Buffalo teachers and many other teachers have always done, is to attempt to, while disagreeing with one another, be open to discuss our differences without hostility, and continue to work together in the interests of our students.

From what I am hearing, this has continued through these difficult times.
You are the best. No, the very best.

- Phil

District COVID-19 Testing Directive
As per our last email to you, we have made a demand to negotiate the impact of the COVID-19 testing directive. If necessary, we will take further legal action.

We will also be in conference with NYSUT attorneys regarding the requirement for teachers to “agree, certify, and/or authorize the information above and further agree that I and my heirs, executors and assigns hereby release CEI, Affinity Empowering, and other reference laboratories, including their respective employees, agents, and contractors from any and all liability and claims” as well as other issues you have raised.

Please continue to advise your LRS (Click Here) of any lack of safety equipment, lack of COVID-19 testing available, or any serious issues.

Starting on Monday, we will be forwarding answers to questions asked by teachers that we have received from NYSUT and the Superintendent.

We will continue to do so as they are received.

Concurrent/Simultaneous Non-Instruction
We will have our first concurrent/virtual instruction negotiation session on Friday, October 29, 2021 (1:30–3:30).

Our position on Concurrent/Simultaneous non-instruction is, “No”.

We have checked with surrounding districts. Apparently, no other district is requiring concurrent/simultaneous non-education. This includes Niagara Falls and Rochester.

They apparently care about the education of their students.

Free BPO Music Pass for BPS High School Students
Free BPO Symphony Hall Passes will be made available to Buffalo students.

Flyers will be sent to all schools including PreK-8 as many Buffalo teachers have children who are Buffalo students. They are available for other students at a cost of $29.

We thank the sponsors George and Bodil Gellman for their generosity.

BTF Grievance - Lack of Payment to Teachers for Extra Activities
The BTF is currently proceeding in a grievance against the District for any extra pay that is lacking for the 2020-2021 school year. If you have previously submitted your information, we are asking that you do so again in this survey (Link Below), so we can access and provide this information to the District in a convenient format.

Please fill out a survey for each day/activity for which you are unpaid.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CYMRRCP

PR:su