News, Alerts & Events

PAC Endorsement Process

Please find information relating to the PAC Endorsement Process below.

 

Candidates who wish to be considered for BTF endorsement must:

  • Request an endorsement in writing, via U.S. mail to the address below or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Buffalo Teachers Federation
Attention: President Richard Nigro
271 Porter Avenue
Buffalo New York 14201

  • Submit to an in-person interview with the Political Action Committee (PAC)

 

Candidates whom BTF considers for endorsement:

  • Public offices that directly impact the city of Buffalo, N.Y. (e.g., Buffalo School Board, Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Mayor, NYS Assembly and Senate, etc.)
  • Buffalo Teachers Federation members/immediate family members running for offices outside the city
  • New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) members in the Western New York area running for offices where our BTF members may reside

 

We will inform our members of and support relevant endorsements (e.g., NYS Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. President and Vice-Presidential races) made by our state and national affiliates. BTF also reserves the right to support candidates not endorsed by our national and state affiliates in unusual circumstances, and also to refrain from supporting candidates endorsed by our affiliates.


Deadlines for 2026 endorsement requests:

  • June primary election: letters must be received no later than February 28th
  • November general election: letters must be received no later than July 31st
  • Special Election Endorsement Requests 
    • There is a special election this year for the Senate seat in the 61st District. Endorsement Request must be received no later than January 30, 2026.

Once the request has been received, our PAC will contact you to schedule your interview.

 

The process is as follows:

  1. Interview with the PAC
  2. PAC makes a recommendation to the Executive Committee
  3. Executive Committee makes a recommendation to the Council of Delegates
  4. Council of Delegates votes on the endorsement
  5. Results shared with candidates following the Council vote
  6. Endorsements made by the BTF will be shared with our active teachers and retirees

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About

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

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

 The BTF is proud to be a member of New York State United Teachers and affiliated nationally with the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.
          
 We invite you to explore our website for information and resources specifically for our members and retirees.

Calendar

 October 2025
  16       Executive Committee Meeting                        
  23   Council of Delegates Meeting 
  24   BTF Happy Hour         
      
 
 November 2025
 1-20   BTF Thanksgiving Food Drive
   4   Election Day (BTF Office Closed) 
  11    Veterans Day (BTF Office Closed)                    
24-26   Thanksgiving Recess (BTF Office Closed)
     

Office Information

Mailing Address:
Buffalo Teachers Federation
271 Porter Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14201
Phone: 716-881-5400
 
Supplemental Benefit Fund:
Phone: 716-881-5462
Fax:     716-881-0580
 
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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