Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Buffalo Teachers Federation says it rejects the Buffalo Public Schools plan for reopening. The union is direction president Phil Rumore to puruse legal action.
Rumore says 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," says Rumore. "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."
Rumore says if a school or a site can demonstrate that it meets all the safety requirements and has appropriate safety protocols in place, the BTF is willing to enter into an agreement that would allow teachers to voluntarily teach from their classroom, adding 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," adds Rumore.
Statement of BPS General Counsel, Nathaniel Kuzma:
The District is disappointed but not surprised by the Buffalo Teachers Federation tactics (BTF). It has been clear from the beginning that the BTF was not going to be a solution oriented collaborative partner with the District.
Similar to the successful reopening of Central Office, the District’s School Reopening plan follows all required health and safety measures as designated by the Center for Disease Control, the Erie County Health Department, and our Health Advisory Committee of experts.