MEMORANDUM
Memo To: Dr. Kriner Cash, Superintendent, BPS
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: March 30, 2020
Subject: Coronavirus Issues
- Parental consent – We have been advised that under FERPA, video recordings/live streams may be considered educational records and should have parental consent for each student prior to being utilized. Please advise of us of how and where teachers can obtain copies of said consent forms for each of their students. Obviously, working with issues/programs involving students with disabilities requires parental consent in most cases. We want to prevent any litigation and damages resulting from the lack of written parental consent.
- People with access to videos can apparently, through the use of screen-capturing software or downloading tools, not only repost, but also edit said video through other platforms. What has the district done to ensure that students and staff are protected from this unauthorized and illegal activity?
- Use of personal equipment and/or internet access – Obviously, the district must supply teachers with all the technology required to perform their duties, e.g. computers, secure internet access, materials, curriculum, etc. Staff, for many reasons, should not be required to use their personal technology, computers, internet carrier, etc. Such usage obviously presents dangerous hacking issues, etc.
- Student counseling – Prior to having online one-on-one sessions with students, teachers must have a parent’s written permission to do same – especially with IEP students. There should be clarification that no such sessions shall be recorded. There have been publicized reports of hackers gaining access to such conferences – NY Times, “Zoombombing”, March 20, 2020.
Please provide a written response to the above concerns. Be assured we will continue to work with you as we navigate through these unprecedented times.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: March 30, 2020
Subject: Updates
I hope this finds you and your family well, and taking no chances.
If you have concerns, you can email us as per the previous emails and website.
School Year/Extensions
Hopefully, we won’t have to extend the school year. However, our contract is clear, 42 consecutive calendar weeks (43 this year per our MOU to have a February break) starting no earlier than September 1st and 188 days.
Any change, i.e. voluntary summer school, would have to be negotiated (hours/pay, etc.) and approved by you.
Hopefully, the District will not attempt to use this emergency to unilaterally change our contract. Be assured we will take legal action if they do.
Teachers have other summer jobs, child care responsibilities for children not in school, etc.
Teacher Evaluations
Evaluations of teachers must be in conformance with our APPR document (visit www.btfny.org, Search APPR, then click on B.P.S. Signed MOU.)
In addition, “All monitoring or observing of the work or performance of a teacher shall be conducted openly and with the full knowledge of the teacher. No teacher shall receive adverse comments from any observer in the presence of pupils or any other staff member.”
See Teacher Evaluations, Article XIII, pg. 29-30 of the BTF-BPS July 1, 2016 Master Contract.
Technology
We have very serious concerns relating to the use of, or misuse of, technology by the District and others.
Such as:
- Privacy issues.
- Protection of teachers from misuse of technology.
- Teachers being tracked based upon login times.
- Unrealistic, inappropriate and dangerous directives of some administrators who, incidentally, are just sitting around without the daily teacher responsibilities.
- Assigning “Schoology” to teachers without sufficient training.
- Teachers being ordered/told to work outside teaching hours.
- Students without laptops/devices or ones that do not work.
Be assured we will be here to defend you against any of these or other actions.
Sick Days
Obviously, since schools are closed, teachers on paid sick leave, e.g. Sick Leave Bank, will not be charged for sick days. See Absence Due to Severe Weather and other Emergency Conditions, Article XXXIII, pg. 86 of the BTF-BPS July 1, 2016 Master Contract)
Teachers Returning from Leaves
Teachers, as per the contract, should notify Human Resources of their date or return from leave (keep documentation).
Grading Students
You should have received a Press Release relating to the District’s position on grading students during this pandemic. In can be viewed by Clicking Here.
We will continue to work with the District to provide our students with support and education.
Most principals and administrators are working with teachers to determine how they can help them. Some; however, are attempting to bully, harass, and intimidate their staff with unreasonable and detrimental directives.
We will keep you updated as events transpire. The staff is available as per our emails to you.
Education Funding Cuts
We are working with our State and National Organizations to secure the funding we need for our students.
If they can support businesses, they must support our students lest there be irreparable harm done to them.
Statewide, we are supporting the “Millionaires Tax” and other revenue sources.
Nationally, we are supporting legislation to provide major funding or our students. Below, please see the email received from NYSUT and take action today. Share among your networks.
Also, NYSUT put up a TV/digital ad as well. You can find coverage of it here:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2020/03/30/nysut-ad--don-t-cut-education-spending?fbclid=IwAR0kZVsNM6dAZQdbQ3A88fiaA7wU3STuEwk3AoCvdwJsdBXmQVPAZNzhLQI
From: NYSUT - Andy Pallotta, President <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2020 7:00 AM
To: Melinda Person
Subject: Emergency Action: 5,000 Calls Needed TODAY!
New York cannot expect to fix this crisis on the backs for our students.
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vital role that our schools play in our communities. They provide meals, they provide care for the needs of children, they provide mental health services — and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The governor recently announced that school districts should be prepared to adjust their budgets to account for lost revenue from the state. The passage of the federal stimulus package infused two billion dollars to our state for public education stabilization for both K-12 and higher education. There is no need for these dramatic cuts. Cuts to education in any form will hurt the students and families who need the supports our public schools and colleges provide now more than ever. The inequality that already existed in our education system has only been exacerbated by this crisis. Cutting funding now will widen the gap even further.
Our public education students and families shouldn't be the ones to foot the bill for the crisis. We cannot sacrifice our students' future. Stand up for our public schools and colleges — and stop these extreme cuts.
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT President
P.S. Tell lawmakers NO CUTS to education! We cannot balance the budget on the backs of our students! Visit the Action Center by clicking on the link below or by copy and pasting it into your web browser.
https://mac.nysut.org/action/602?utm_campaign=nocuts&utm_source=emailer_link&utm_medium=emailer&
Please don’t take any chances. Your, your family’s and your friends’ health is too important to take even the slightest chance. Please.
As always, together we will overcome this obstacle as we always have.
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: Dr. Kriner Cash, Superintendent, BPS
Members, Buffalo Board of Education
All District Administrators
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: April 6, 2020
Subject: FYI - Email to Dr. Cash, Members of the Board and All BPS Administrators
These are and have been some of the most difficult, painful, dangerous, heart-wrenching and challenging times.
Many of us know of someone who, and whose family, have been victims of this devastating pandemic.
We have also seen the heroic efforts and sacrifices of first responders, police, firefighters, grocery store workers, sanitation workers and many more too numerous to mention.
We must also commend all those in the District and community organizations who have worked to supply thousands of families with desperately needed food and meals.
Parents have called me to say how much they appreciate the teachers, who have continued to work with their children, while relating the extreme pressure of having multiple children at different grade levels.
One parent was in tears when she heard there might be no spring recess. The stress of working with a baby and an elementary school student was almost too much to bare. I have had numerous such calls.
Teachers, some of whom have children of their own at home, are also under unmanageable stress, e.g. learning new technology, trying to keep in contact with their 30-150 students, when many students have no equipment, internet service or a working phone, insufficient educational materials for their students, nasty responses from a few parents, (one parent sent a naked picture of herself to a teacher’s cell phone) – to name a few.
We have also had a few administrators, who are not enduring what the teachers are, heaping even more pressure on teachers, e.g. I want your lesson plans, I want you to check in with me or else, I want you at this teleconference, I want to know how many students you have contacted, I am having parents report you if you haven’t reached them, you must create a video, I want you to contact parents via a platform that isn’t FERPA and HIPPA compliant, you must use Schoology even though you have not been trained and it breaks downs constantly, I don’t care if you have to use your personal cellphone and are concerned you have to use it, what about marks, student equipment or materials, will there be a spring break since it is up to the District to make the decision, I have tried and tried and can’t reach the parent or student… to name a few.
Yet, because they care about their students, they and their families endure the stress.
Yes, we are all under tremendous stress; however, based on the actions of some school and City Hall administrators, I don’t think anyone has a clue about the additional stress your teachers are enduring to connect with, care for and educate their students.
All I ask is that when you make decisions, that you put yourself in the body of a teacher, who has from 30-150 students for whom they are responsible and that you also consider the stress on parents.
Hopefully that is not too much to ask. We are not looking for sympathy – just understanding and compassion.
We, as always, remain committed to work with you as we educate our students and overcome these dangerous times.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: April 3, 2020
Subject: Updates
Thoughts for the Day
Believe in yourself…
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, “Where’s the self-help section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
As always, you have shown amazing inner strength, caring, and commitment under the most difficult circumstances, e.g. lack of materials and equipment for your students and yourself, the neediest of students, having to care for your children while you care for and teach your students, demands by some administrators, who don’t have to accomplish what you have to under the conditions you have had to overcome… to name but a few.
Thank you for all that you do and for who you are.
Spring Recess
At this point, it appears that there will be no “spring recess” although we believe Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13, 2020 will be considered holidays and counted as days of student attendance.
As per the March 30, 2020 email to you (See www.btfny.org, Latest News, News and Alerts), our contract is clear, any work beyond the contract would have to be agreed to with an MOU upon which you will vote.
Whether that will be necessary is unknown at this time.
For example, Regents Examinations may well be canceled; therefore, the school year can end earlier keeping within contractual requirements.
We are preparing for all scenarios involving our contract and the MOU we agreed to extending the 42 weeks to 43, while still keeping the 188 day max in our contract. In answer to some questions, our 188 day max is without working during spring break. If the school year for teachers were to continue as presently scheduled, we would obviously be over the 188 days.
Once again any changes or modification of the contract will be voted on by the Executive Committee, Council of Delegates and most importantly, you.
APPR
Obviously most teacher APPR’s will not be completed as required by our MOU, regulations and law.
Discussions are taking place in Albany to relax some of the regulations.
We will update you as changes become known.
Probationary Appointments/Tenure
Once again the timelines, etc. for the granting of tenure and issues involving probationary appointments will obviously have to be modified.
Discussions are also taking place in Albany to adjust these to reflect the realities that exist. We will keep you updated.
Confidentiality Concerns
We have again written the District to clarify exactly how programs, interactions with parents/students/teachers comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
Lesson Plans
Some administrators are insisting on teachers providing lesson plans?! Just remember, the Lesson Plan document approved by the District states:
“Primary purpose of plans is for the teacher. Teachers should make them as detailed as the teacher needs them.” (emphasis added)
Use of Personal Equipment
The contract says that the District must supply what you need, Article XI, pg. 20-23.
If you are in need of a computer (yours is broken, etc.) or other educational supplies, you should notify your principal and keep the correspondence.
We are aware of many of your other concerns and are forwarding them to the Superintendent. We will send you a copy of the latest correspondence to him when it is completed.
The staff is in constant contact with each other and “meet” by conference call at least twice a week. They are, as previously advised, available by email.
Please keep forwarding issues. We will continue to address them.
If an administrator (usually, the ones that have no idea how hard is it for teachers) threatens you or gives a directive that you believe is wrong, contact your Labor Relations Specialist, or the officers.
Jenna Burke – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Matt Kibler – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rob Mueller- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rebecca Pordum – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joseph Montante – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phil Rumore – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please take no chances. You are too important to your students, family and friends.
PR:su
MEMORANDUM
Memo To: All Buffalo Teachers
From: Philip Rumore, President, BTF
Date: April 8, 2020
Subject: Updates
Spring Break -- There should be a decision made at tonight’s School Board meeting.
To clarify – The school calendar we approved contained the 188 days of teacher attendance. Friday,
April 10 and Monday, April 13 – 17 are not part of the 188 days of teacher attendance.
If we must work them or some of them, that will exceed our contract maximum.
Whether the school year will end early in June, as there are no Regents exams, is not known.
Any change in our contract would have to be approved by you, the teachers. As stated previously, our position is any such additional time would have to be voluntary on the part of each teacher.
Will Districts try to use the courts to override contracts, hopefully not. If they do, we are ready for the fight.
Gr. 7 – 12 Teachers -- Attached is all the information we have on the cancellation of the Regents exams. There will still be many questions e.g., How do I pass/fail a student? If I use previous grades and fail a student, who had trauma in his/her life in the first semester but would have possibly passed by including his/her marks/work in the second semester, how would it be fair?
This is but one of the questions teachers, who will be blamed no matter what they do, may have to confront. Some have suggested that all students receive credit for the course. There is still much more to be decided.
Click Here for the FAQs. If the link is not clickable, please copy and paste it into your web browser.
http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/programs/coronavirus/nysed-covid-19-regents-grad-req-faq.pdf
Other Concerns -- We will be sending a copy of the latest concerns you have raised. We will also be demanding answers.
Funding -- We will be calling on the Federal government to allow school Districts to use any unused Federal funds. It usually must be returned to the Government.
Stay tuned.