BTF Calls For New York School Districts to Sue New York State to Prevent the Loss of Funding

BUFFALO TEACHERS OVERWHELMINGLY REJECT DISTRICT REOPENING PLANS UNSAFE – DIRECTS BTF TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST PLANS AND REQUIREMENT THAT TEACHERS REPORT TO SCHOOLS/SITES DURING 100% VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION

Buffalo teachers’ response to the following questions was:

70% (1,866) I oppose the District's Reopening Plan(s) as I believe they do not provide for "safe and healthful conditions under which to carry out their (our) professional duties" and/or do not provide for "quality education for students". In addition, I believe they do not conform to State and Federal laws/regulations. As such, I authorize the BTF to pursue legal action to prevent their implementation.

30% (789) I support the District's Reopening Plan(s) as I believe, they provide for "safe and healthful conditions under which to carry out their (our) professional duties" and provide for "quality education for students". In addition, I believe they conform to State and Federal laws/regulations. As such, I do not authorize the BTF to pursue legal action to prevent their implementation.

“Buffalo teachers, who overwhelmingly want to be with their students when schools open for in-person instruction, want to ensure that students, parents, school staff and the community are not put at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.

The District has not met the required State and Federal guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, parents, teachers and community. Yet, although instruction is 100% virtual, it is mandating all teachers to report to their schools/sites two to three times a week; thereby, endangering their, their family’s and the community’s health.

We can not allow unsafe teaching and learning conditions to endanger the safety and health of our students, parents, teachers and community; therefore, we will immediately pursue legal action.

If a school/site can demonstrate that it meets all the safety requirements and has appropriate safety protocols in place, we are willing to enter into an agreement that would allow teachers to voluntarily teach from their classroom.

As always, any such agreement would have to be approved by teachers.

The District has shown no willingness to answer, in writing, the teachers’ many questions that were sent to it.

We will continue to work to ensure that our schools have safety protocols in writing in place, to ensure that our students, parents, school staff and community are not put at risk of infection by the COVID 19 virus”, stated Phil Rumore, President, of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

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BTF ACCUSES BUFFALO SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SCHOOL SAFETY COVER-UP

• Quantity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) e.g., masks, face shields, disinfecting sprays/wipes, non-contact thermometers
• the proper sanitizing of classrooms, hallways, offices, bathrooms, lunch rooms, etc.
• sufficient custodial staff
• air purification systems
• operable/non-existent windows
• availability of nurses and safety of their offices
• movement of people in halls, meetings, etc.
• eating protocols
•  isolation rooms
• safety signage
• whether school protocols meet State and Federal guidelines
• any health and safety concerns

BTF SUPPORTS BUFFALO PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION"S (BPTO) CALL FOR RAPID COVID-19 TESTING

The BTF, in previous correspondence to the Superintendent and School Board, has stated there should be “written and posted admission and departure procedures that, all would agree, provide for safe and healthful admission and departures from the schools.”

The extensive BTF/hybrid reopening safety plan reflects the belief that the reopening plan should have the support of all stakeholders to be successful. It calls for agreement by “all”, i.e. “teachers, parents, school administrators and of course the Superintendent and Board of Education and all required local, state and federal agencies” (click here).

“We join with the Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization in calling for the business community and insurance companies to provide the resources necessary to ensure that there is rapid coronavirus testing for all students and adults prior to entering our schools/sites and that such testing be ongoing.

We also call upon New York State and the Federal government to provide the resources and legislation necessary to ensure that this rapid coronavirus testing is implemented.

This is not only a matter of life and death, but of permanent respiratory and neurological (brain) damage.

We cannot allow for the outbreaks that we have seen in other schools and communities.

Most of our parents and their children can not afford to pay for, or have the insurance to cover, a rapid coronavirus test.

Not protecting them is not only wrong but immoral”, stated Phil Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

BTF CALLS FOR DISTRICT TO PROVIDE MORE COVD-19 INFORMATION

The BTF today reiterated its call for the school district to provide teachers and staff with information relating to staff identified as testing positive for or being exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

“Teachers and staff continue to raise serious concerns relating to not being informed that a member of its staff has or has been exposed to, the COVID-19 virus.”

The BTF has requested that, to ease concerns (fear) and develop trust, “the District can, while protecting privacy, advise the staff, that while a staff member has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, all the following procedures have been followed to ensure your safety”

Last week instances were reported at:

School 64 (3)
School 61 (2)
School 74 (1)
School 59 (1)

This is in addition to those previously reported at School 45 and School 33.

See attached November 6, 2020 correspondence. Note: See October 26, 2020 correspondence where there were false statements made by District representatives (Click Here).

“In these difficult and stressful times, the District continues to cause increased stress and distrust. Indeed, it has refused to even respond to the concerns of its staff. It apparently doesn’t care.”, concluded Philip Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

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TEACHERS, PARENTS AND STAFF SHOULD APPROVE SCHOOL REOPENING PLANS

The Buffalo Teachers Federation Executive Committee and Council of Delegates (representatives from all schools) approved the following resolution.

“WHEREAS: Providing for the safe and finest education possible for our students entails ensuring that teachers, parents, administrators and staff, who know best and first hand what is important, have input into and have confidence in the reopening plan for their school/site.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Buffalo teachers call for said reopening plans be approved by each school’s/site’s Site Based Decision Making Team.”

Each school’s Site Based Management Team (SBMT) is composed of:

• One (1) Administrator *
• At Least Five (5) Parents*
• At Least Five (5) Teachers*
• Teacher Aides/Assistants
• Other School Staff
• Students (Grade 5 and Above)

    * Mandated Members By Law

 
“There must be delineated guidelines, procedures and safety measures established by the District; however, since each school/site is, in many ways different, each School Site Based Management Team (SBMT) must provide the final approval for the reopening plan for their school/site.

They are the people who know what is best for their school/site and who will be working together to provide for our students.

The exclusion of Teachers, Parents and Staff from making this decision is unacceptable and can harm the education and well-being of all.” stated Philip Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.