April 26, 2007

Dear Colleague:

There is no election that is more important to teachers and students than the School Board Election on this Tuesday, May 1st. If you are unsure of the reasons, this letter has gone to someone who is not or never has been a Buffalo teacher.

Six (6) of the nine (9) Board of Educations positions will be filled in the May 1st election. These are the six (6) District seats. Five votes comprise a majority on the Board.

Two of the candidates are retired Buffalo teachers.

We ask for your support for the following candidates. As you can see, most candidates share similar positions. We have just highlighted a few issues. An extensive questionnaire was completed and interviews were conducted except for Ralph Hernandez and Fred Yellen as we know their positions on issues.

CENTRAL DISTRICT – MARY RUTH KAPSIAK

Mary Ruth Kapsiak is a retired Buffalo teacher who also served as an Assistant Principal and Elementary Supervisor and never forgot the realities in the classroom. Mary Ruth Kapsiak is committed to ending the adversarial tone that is being set by the current administration and to listening to teachers in the classroom to find out the issues that need to be addressed.

She wants to see new contracts negotiated and will not vote to violate a collective bargaining agreement. She is also concerned with the horrendous amount of paperwork and the over-testing of our students.

Ruth’s husband is a retired Buffalo teacher.

WEST DISTRICT – RALPH HERNANDEZ

Ralph Hernandez, as you know, is the only current member of the Board who refused to vote to violate our contract and the subsequent appeals.

He has refused to be a rubber-stamp, has initiated an investigation of the District’s contract bidding and awards and, as you know, has been attacked by the other Board members for his independence.

Ralph has been a tireless advocate on behalf of teachers and the students we teach.

EAST DISTRICT – GREGORY OLMA

Gregory Olma is a former County Legislator who, while a Legislator, was not afraid to ask the huge questions and stand up for what he thought was right.

He stated that one of his major goals, if elected, would be to “settle the differences between the Board and unions” and that he would “undertake a review of the policy and its real effects” (regarding residency).

He also will work to lift the wage freeze and secure new contracts acceptable to the District employees.

His opponent voted to impose the single carrier in violation of our contract and to continue appealing the arbiter’s decision upholding our contract.

FERRY DISTRICT – PAMELA D. PERRY-CAHILL

Pamela D. Perry-Cahill is another energetic, experienced and excellent candidate. She has been extremely active in her community as a block club member and block club President Leader.

Pamela Perry-Cahill has an M.B.A.; B.S. in Elementary Education and while substituting in Buffalo, was a delegate in the Substitute’s United Union.

She shares many of the positions of the other BTF-supported candidates relating to the adversarial issues within the District, teachers’ involvement in decision-making and safety in our schools.

Her opponent has consistently supported the Superintendent and works for a charter school. He also strongly supported returning the six students to Performing Arts. (Note: the attacked student remains at home.)

PARK DISTRICT – LOUIS J. PETRUCCI

Louis J. Petrucci is very concerned with the violence and lack of support of teachers when dealing with discipline issues.

He is also concerned with the hostile work environment that has been perpetuated by the administration and the lack of real knowledge by the administration of what teachers face daily in their classes.

He will also have the support of Congressman Higgins.

Louis is also an active member of his Union.

One of his opponents has the support of former Mayor Griffin, another is mounting a write-in campaign apparently without the support of his union (PBA).

NORTH DISTRICT – FRED YELLEN – (write-in candidate)

Fred Yellen, as many know, is a retired Buffalo math teacher. Fred, having retired recently, knows full well the issues confronting us daily.

Fred has always been an independent staunch advocate on behalf of teachers and our students. Additionally, he is the father of a current Buffalo Public School math teacher. He will be able to analyze the Board Budget and will recognize waste and misdirected funds.

Fred Yellen, while always willing to work cooperatively toward a common goal, will be no one’s “yes” man.

Fred’s late entry into the race requires that he be a write-in candidate. As you may remember, we were successful in electing Ralph Hernandez as a write-in candidate. With the number of teachers and NYSUT members in the North District, we can elect Fred Yellen.

Instructions on completing a write-in are as follows: After the voter enters the voting booth and closes the curtain, follow these directions:
Step 1: At the top line of the machine, look for slide numbered 1. It will probably be the only one you can lift above the candidate’s name.
Step 2: Lift slide 1 – no name will appear.
Step 3: On the blank paper that you find behind the slide, write in the name of your choice. FRED YELLEN
Step 4: Slide will close when you open the curtain to leave machine.

Fred’s opponent was sent a BTF questionnaire to complete but did not return it.

We can either be the movers and shakers in elections or those moved and shaken. Buffalo teachers have always been the former.

Thank you again for your solidarity and support. Please remember to vote.

Sincerely,

PR;EDL/hlh