BTF CALLS FOR DISTRICT COVID-19 TRANSPARENCY RAISES CONCERNS – LACK OF COMPLETE INFORMATION COUNTY-WIDE

The Buffalo Teachers Federation, today, called upon the Buffalo School District to, as do other school districts, provide a daily COVID-19 incident report to all parents and staff in the District.

“For too long the District and others have been saying that schools in surrounding districts are open for in person instruction without incident, why not Buffalo?

They are also saying the incidents of COVID-19 spread are low in Buffalo.

Both statements are misleading and dangerous”,stated Phil Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

The BTF today releases copies of surrounding district COVID-19 reports that are sent to all parents in three surrounding districts, Kenmore Tonawanda, Orchard Park, and Williamsville.

• Williamsville Central School District

From January 25, 2021 - February 2, 2021 (Click Here)

Total Cases – 41 

• Orchard Park Central School District

From January 19, 2021 - February 1, 2021 (Click Here)

Total Cases – 25

• Kenmore-Tonawanda Union Free School District

From January 19, 2021 - February 2, 2021 (Click Here)

Total Cases – at least40 (See Kenmore Tonawanda School Footnote)

There were at least 106 reported COVID-19 cases reported in just three (3) of the 27surrounding school districts from January 19, 2021 - February 2, 2021.

“That just between January19, 2021 and February 2, 2021 (two weeks) there have been 106COVID-19 cases in three (3) of the twenty-seven (27) surrounding school districts that have gone unreported in the media and is generally not known, is cause for great concern.

These cases are in school districts that have more modern schools, less difficult student transportation issues and where the community has greater access to healthcare.

Although we do not know all the particulars, there are what must be considered unacceptably high incidents of COVID-19 cases.

Yet, there are calls for Buffalo students, many of whom will have few of the same conditions,to return because the surrounding districts are doing so;thereby,risking their and other’s lives.

This is wrong and dangerous. Buffalo teachers very much want to be back with their students; however,we want to ensure that students, their parents, staff, themselves and community are safe.” concluded Phil Rumore, BTF President.

The BTF therefore calls for the Buffalo Public School District:

• To end its refusal to allow an independent hygienist,that the BTF is willing to reimburse, to examine all Buffalo schools/sites to determine their safety.
• That until such examination/testing is done,in person instruction and all staff attendance be suspended.
• To immediately institute a procedure to report all incidents of COVID-19 issues to all district parents and staff.
• To continually monitor the safety of its buildings.
• To, as has been requested for several months, answer, in writing, teacher concerns provided to the District.

BTF CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE CLAIMS THAT SCHOOLS ARE NOT WHERE COVID IS SPREAD – THEY ARE SAFE AND FEBRUARY ONE WEEK RECESS – CAUTION

“How it can be said that COVID is not spread in the schools when, for example, on:

Our students come from all parts of the City. These are not neighborhood schools where COVID would be spread among friends in the neighborhood.

Indeed, in the winter there is little mingling among students while not at school.

The Buffalo Teachers Federation calls for a Federal, State and County investigation and analysis of these and other similar statistics so that appropriate actions can be taken to halt the spread of COVID and keep our students, parents, staff and community safe”, stated Philip Rumore, President.

“The BTF also called for caution prior to removing any school mandates as many districts will be having one week mid-winter recess (most from February 21 to February 28, 2022). A significant increase in positive cases has occurred after such recesses”, concluded Rumore.

BTF CALLS VIOLENCE IN AND AROUND SCHOOLS “A NATIONAL CRISIS” REQUIRING PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL INTERVENTION

A resolution passed unanimously by the BTF’s governing bodies calls upon the President and Congress of the United States to address a “National Crisis”, the violence, anger and disruptive behaviors that are harmfully infecting students/children. (Below)

The BTF called for:

• Earmarked Federal funding for school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school attendance teachers, etc., with a defined caseload, e.g. 120/1.
• Earmarked Federal funding to provide sufficient security personnel who will also be trained to gain the confidence of students to relate any concerns.
• Earmarked Federal funding for community organizations that have experience working with students to prevent acts of violence and disruption.
• Earmarked Federal funding to provide metal detectors for any District/School that needs them, without taking away from other students’ educational needs/programs.
• De-escalating techniques for all staff and parents.

Other critical school security needs identified by a school district.

To accomplish this, the BTF will work with its State and National affiliates, State and Federal legislators and other individuals and organizations.

“Violence, anger and disruptive behaviors are infecting our students/children, leading to violence in and around our schools.

This is a National Crisis involving the well-being of our children that must be immediately addressed by the President and Congress of the United States.

We call for all to join with us to secure earmarked federal funding so that our students/children/communities are safe from violence and disruption”, stated Philip Rumore, President of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

WHEREAS: Violence, anger and disruptive behaviors are harmfully infecting our students/children, and

WHEREAS: It is critical that we realize that the resulting and too-often fatal incidents in our schools and on our school grounds are occurring across the United States, and

WHEREAS: This is a National Crisis involving the well-being of our children that must immediately be addressed by the President and Congress of the United States as well as other relevant agencies.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the BTF will take the following action(s):

• Seek through correspondence, email, petitioning and other appropriate methods, the support of NYSUT, NEA, AFT, our State and Federal legislators, and all other critical people and organizations, to ensure safety in our schools (which extends into the communities) for the following:
  • Earmarked Federal funding for school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, school attendance teachers, etc. with a defined caseload, e.g. 120/1.
  • Earmarked Federal funding to provide sufficient security personnel who will also be trained to gain the confidence of students to relate any concerns.
  • Earmarked Federal funding for community organizations that have experience working with students to prevent acts of violence and disruption.
  • Earmarked Federal funding to provide metal detectors for any District /School that needs them, without taking away from students’ other educational needs/programs.
  • De-escalating techniques for all staff and parents.
  • Other critical school security needs identified by a school district.
    

Passed unanimously by the BTF Executive Committee and Council of Delegates on March 24, 2022

BTF TO PICKET BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Buffalo teachers will be picketing before the Board of Education meeting to protest the lack of a new
contract and “the insulting and degrading proposals it has received”. They will also be protesting the
Board’s delaying of negotiations. (Click Here)

BTF President, Phil Rumore will be addressing the Board at its meeting.

SCHOOL DISTRICT REFUSES TO ALLOW BTF PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AT ITS AUGUST 31, 2022 MEETING

The BTF was notified that BTF President Philip Rumore would not be allowed to address the Board of Education at its August 31, 2022 Special Board meeting. Once again, the Buffalo School District has shown its contempt for Buffalo teachers.

I requested the opportunity to address the Superintendent and School Board at Wednesday’s August 31 Special Meeting to address BTF Negotiations and was denied by the District’s Counsel Nathaniel Kuzma, who is also the District’s Negotiations spokesperson. The response to our request was: (Ms. Sauer is my Secretary)

“Good Morning Ms. Sauer,

As I stated, Mr. Kuzma just left our office and said that according to the contract speakers speak at regular board meetings only, not at special meetings.

Administrative Secretary”

The BTF contract states:

“VI.

I) “Board input – The Board President shall recognize the President of the Federation or a Designee for the purpose of expressing Federation viewpoints concerning matters on the agenda or motions before the Board affecting teachers in general or matters incorporated in the Contract.”

“What are the Superintendent and Board afraid to hear from their teachers or other members of the public. Even if our contract did say regular Board meeting, which it does not, why would you prevent speakers. The District has once again shown distain for its teachers and the public. Shame on you. I will be there to speak. If you choose to take action against me, so be it”, concluded Philip Rumore, President, BTF

BTF SOLIDARITY PICKETING

At many Buffalo schools, teachers will be picketing at their school/site prior to reporting for work tomorrow September 2, 2022. The times will vary from 7:30 am - 9:00 am depending on their time to report.

There are no students in school until Tuesday September 6, 2022.

September 2, 2022 is teacher “set-up day”, where they continue to prepare their rooms for instruction.

BTF President Philip Rumore will be joining the teachers at D’Youville Porter Campus across from BTF headquarter at 7:45 am.