News, Alerts & Events

Press Release
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2019
 

Teachers and Parents Take Action Against Buffalo School District for Depriving Students of Required Art and Music Instruction


Parents and teachers of Buffalo students have filed a legal action against the Buffalo Public Schools for undermining the education of their children by not providing the art and music courses required by New York State law.
 
“For over a year, parents and teachers have, to no avail, sought to have the Buffalo School Board provide Buffalo secondary students with State required art and music instruction/programs.”, stated Phil Rumore, President, BTF.
 
The legal papers (attached) cite the following lack of instruction/programs.
 
  • Legally required arts sequence is only provided at 2 District High Schools.
  • Concert Band and Orchestra are only offered at 4 District High Schools.
  • The District does not equitably offer Arts education to students.

 

“While the art and music instruction/programs are readily available in the suburbs, not so in Buffalo, is the message here, Buffalo students are unworthy of these programs?” concluded Rumore.
 
The following have agreed to be interviewed in relation to this legal action.
 
  • Amy J. Steiner – (716) 983-3085 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Carla Thomas – (716) 824-9070 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Marleen M. O’Connor – (716) 578-1381 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Donna DeLano-Kerr – (716) 827-0079 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Timothy Lyon – (716) 480-1599 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Eve Shippens – (716) 308-6063 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Lauriann Stephan – (716) 465-2814 – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
PR:su

Important Information

  • The Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) Information 

    The APPR is a process by which teachers are evaluated in NYS. The intent of APPR is to assist educators to improve the quality of instruction in schools and to improve students' performance for colleges and careers. District APPR plans must meet strict state guidelines and be negotiated with local unions. Under state guidelines, APPR takes into account classroom observations and student performance. Teachers across NYS receive an overall effectiveness rating every year.

     

    APPR is complex and can often be overwhelming.  Click here to keep up to date on all the current APPR information.

  • Opt-Out Information 

    Teachers and parents share deep concerns about the standardized tests used by NYS for accountability purposes that include; stress on students, in-appropriateness and lack of validity of the Common Core-aligned tests, loss of learning time, and lack of transparency on state test content. Parents who decide it is not in their children’s best interests to take these assessments are part of an “Opt-Out” movement. BTF fully supports parents’ right to choose what is best for their children.

     

    Click here to keep up to date on the "Opt-Out" movement and other information.

  • COVID-19 Information


    For our members, BTF has collected COVID-19 resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, as well as our affiliates, NYSUT, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. Together we must, and will, be proactive to ensure that Coronavirus does not infect and spread to our students, staff and community.
     
    Click here to view recent information and writen correspondence. The BTF will post more information as it becomes available.

Buffalo Teachers Federation

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The Buffalo Teachers Federation is the professional union that represents over 3800 contract, probationary and temporary teachers of the Buffalo Public Schools.

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