PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	September 30 , 2005

BTF ACCUSES SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD OF STEALING LAID-OFF TEACHER'S SICK-DAYS

In a harshly worded letter to the Superintendent and School Board, Phil Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation, accused the District of stealing laid-off teacher's and administrator's sick days and "rubbing salt in their wounds" (enclosed).

The BTF contends that for the first time in its history, the District is automatically reimbursing laid-off teachers for 10% of their sick days and taking back the remaining 90%, so that a teacher who had 70 unused sick days would wind up with none when they were rehired or were moved to another teaching area.

Rumore stated, "In all my years in this District, I have never seen such callous treatment of hard working and dedicated employees. You have set a new low."

Rumore also criticized the Superintendent and Board for targeting guidance counselors, attendance teachers, library media specialists, and foreign language teachers instead of spreading layoffs equitably across the District.

Rumore also noted that none of the Superintendent's "well paid $100,000+ staff were laid off" just those working directly with students. "What else is new? The elite are taken care of while the workers are laid off," Rumore concluded.