MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          January 28, 2020

Subject:     Updates

Solidarity with BPS Football Teams

As you know from the media and BTF emails, our football teams were to be excluded from the Erie County Interscholastic Conference (ECIC).

I am not going to go into the reasons as you know, as well as I, the real reasons.

Thanks to the BTF’s and the District’s threats of legal action, the decision has been rescinded/delayed.

We will be working with the District, parents, community organizations, etc. to ensure that none of our teams, or other student organizations, are excluded from competing.

The following motion was passed by the BTF Council of Delegates (Click Here).

As a demonstration of solidarity and support for our football teams, we are distributing “Support BPS Football” stickers for each teacher.  We ran out but the remainder will be in schools by Wednesday,

January 29^th.  If you want some extras, call or come to BTF headquarters.  Please call first, if you are coming to BTF headquarters, to make sure we still have some available.

We are asking that all teachers display or wear their “Support BPS Football” sticker on BTF Solidarity Day, Friday, January 31^st.

We are also distributing small football stickers that you can place on your lanyard or elsewhere.

We can not and will not allow this to stand whether it is our football teams or any other exclusionary action against any students.

Sick Leave Actions by Some Administrators

In the last few weeks, BTF has been receiving copies of letters/memoranda from building administrators that have been served on teachers regarding the number of sick leave days/absences the teacher has utilized during this school year.  The letters/memoranda have not been isolated to one school, or one particular administrator.  Instead, it appears that building administrators are acting at the direction of the District.

In many cases, these letters/memoranda have threatened the teacher with disciplinary action if the particular teacher’s attendance doesn’t “immediately improve”.  In each case, the letters/memoranda have set arbitrary levels for the number of absences that are deemed acceptable or “excessive”.

BTF has already filed a Federation Grievance (BTF Grievance 19-076) challenging what appears to be the District’s attempt to unilaterally implement a time and attendance policy with hard and fast numbers of absences that teachers are allowed to have before being subject to counseling or discipline.  BTF is also in the process of drafting an Improper Practice charge which will be filed with the NYS Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), as time and attendance policies are designated mandatory subjects of negotiation, and must be negotiated with BTF prior to any implementation.  Unilaterally instituting such a policy without negotiation is a violation of the NYS Taylor Law.

BTF is asking that any teacher who has or does receive a letter or memorandum similar to what is described above send a copy of this memorandum to the BTF office to the attention of Rob Mueller, Labor Relations Specialist This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  We will not use your name with the District.

PR:ls

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          February 13, 2020

Subject:     Updates

NEGOTIATIONS
As you may have heard, the mediator assigned to our negotiations was in the hospital for a prolonged period of time and also had his mother pass.

He is back at work and will schedule us as soon as possible, after the break.

We have had our two (2) pre-conferences with PERB regarding our Improper Practice charges against the District. Preliminary legal papers will be filed and a hearing date will be set.

We will be in Albany on March 2, 2020 meeting with the Western New York Delegation seeking additional funding and support for other important issues (in further update).


SCHOOL BUS ISSUES CONTINUE
Please advise us of continuing bus issues at your school by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


NEW YORK STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The Board of Regents has indicated that they may consider a revision to New York State’s graduation requirements. In preparation, NYSUT conducted a statewide survey on current New York State Graduations Requirements to random NYSUT members across New York State.

To further allow all members to share their input, there will be two regional forums. The dates and locations are as follows:

CELEBRATING S/HEROES IN EDUCATION AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARDS
There are two (2) Galas planned this year to honor Buffalo Teachers (“Celebrating S/Heroes in Education”) and Buffalo Teachers, Support Staff and Administrators (Excellence in Education Awards). 

The information for the Excellence in Education Award is attached (Click Here). 

Friends for a Better Buffalo will be hosting the Excellence in Education Awards (a black tie event) on Saturday, May 2, 2020. This event will honor Teachers, Support Staff and Administrators who work in schools within Buffalo. You may self-nominate or nominate a colleague. Nominations are due February 28, 2020.

For application, forms and more information, please go on www.friendsforabetterbuffalo.org.

The Celebrating S/Heroes in Education information will be emailed separately.


Please have a safe and restful mid-winter break.

PR:su

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          February 4, 2020

Subject:     Absurd Caseloads/ Extraneous Tasks

On October 10, 2019, the BTF sent the following email:

In negotiations, the District doesn’t seem to believe the number of students you, as with most teachers, must service, i.e. your caseload, but also the extraneous duties you have been assigned that impact on the time you have to provide support services to students.

Please complete the information below and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will not use your name. If you have concerns, we will block your school(s) when reporting the information.

_______________________________                    ________________________________
Name                                                                   Personal Email Address

______________________________                      ________________________________
Position (School Counselor, Social Worker, etc.)     Caseload (e.g. 300/1)

______________________________________      __  I do not like my School(s) listed
School(s) Serviced        

To date, we have only received information from 13 schools. If you have yet to respond with the requested information, please do so by February 24, 2020.

Thank you.

MEMORANDUM

Memo To:   All Buffalo Teachers

From:         Philip Rumore, President, BTF

Date:          February 24, 2020

Subject:     Upcoming BTF Retirement Seminar

Attached, please find information regarding the upcoming BTF Retirement Seminar. Please complete the bottom section of the form and return it to the BTF office by March 20, 2020.

Please pass this along to any teachers who may be interested.

Thank you.

Click Here to View the BTF Retirement Seminar Information and Form

PR:su