Violent Incident at BAVPA
Passed unanimously by BTF Council of Delegates February 22, 2007

Whereas: On November 17, 2006 six students at BAVPA did burst into a classroom and proceeded to attack another student, and;

Whereas: The BAVPA teacher in the room was severely injured and removed on a stretcher, and;

Whereas: Said teacher being so traumatized has not and may not return to teaching, and;

Whereas: One of the students involved in the attack was recently returned to BAVPA, and;

Whereas: On February 21, 2007 the Superintendent ordered the remaining five students who were involved in the attack returned to BAVPA over the objections of parents and staff, and;

Whereas: The Superintendent, in defense of ordering the students returned, was quoted as saying, “Students make mistakes. Adults make mistakes. I am a forgiving Superintendent when parents get involved and work with us…We’re running a public education system…I cannot continue to just ruin these kids because they made a mistake.”, and;

Whereas: Upon arrival in the cafeteria of the five students returned to BAVPA, some students cheered, and;

Whereas: Such condoning of violence by the Superintendent and School Board

• sends a message that acts of violence are condoned

• undermines not only the safety of parents, students and staff of BAVPA but all Buffalo Public Schools

• increases the number and the severity of acts of violence in our schools, and;

Whereas: The Superintendent stated on the radio that the students involved had not been in trouble before; however, it is believed that some of the students involved had been previously suspended numerous times - some for the possession of knives, and:

Whereas: Buffalo teachers are deeply concerned that such condoning of violence by the Superintendent and School Board not only undermines order and safety in our schools, but could lead to an act of violence so severe that a life might be lost.

Be It Therefore Resolved: That the BTF Council of Delegates, on behalf of Buffalo teachers,

• condemns the Superintendent’s ordering the return to BAVPA of the students who participated in the act of violence against a student and teacher at BAVPA

• calls for the reassignment of the six students to other schools, including School 44

• calls for the District to cease returning to their current school, students who committed acts of violence in that school.