Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) "Teachers will report, as they're told to report," said Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore following the union's unsuccessful attempt at getting a temporary restraining order to stop Buffalo Public Schools from forcing teachers into their classrooms at least two times a week.
Rumore said there is one positive development. Teachers with preexisting conditions do not have to report to school. "For example, anyone undergoing chemotherapy or anyone immune compromised, they do not have to come to school. This includes teachers with family members with immune diseases," said Rumore. He called it a step in the right direction.
Rumore maintains that schools are not ready. "When you look at air circulation, we're hearing that we should have MERV 13 filters. Our district has MERV 8-11 filters. We've heard that most of the new filters won't be in for at least another month. We also don't have enough hand sanitizer. We still have a long way to go," said Rumore.
The union is filing a grievance on safety conditions in schools. It will be heard by an arbiter on September 21st.
August is known as the biggest month of the year for teacher retirements. The pandemic resulted in a lot of retirement filings. One hundred for the month of August according to Rumore. There is usually around 70 each year.
Will there be enough teachers? And what about substitute teachers? "We're hearing that they're having trouble getting substitute teachers. When we do go back with a hybrid schedule, we're going to need substitute teachers for sure, but from what I'm hearing, they don't want to take the chance."
In Buffalo you have to be certified to be a substitute. "Most of our substitute teachers are previous teachers in the Buffalo Public School system. They don't get paid that much. Something like $100 a day," said Rumore. " Some say it's just not worth risking their life for that."