BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) The Buffalo Teacher's Union insists it wants to be part of the solution in getting kids to and from school in a timely manner each day. "We want this squared away just as much as anyone else," said union president Phil Rumore on WBEN Wednesday.
"The school district submitted a memorandum of understanding about a
month or so ago. It was completely unacceptable," said Rumore. "We gave the district a list of concerns and problems and we have yet to receive a response as to how they would correct these problems."
Bell times are an issue because dozens of students are arriving late each day and hundreds are getting home late each afternoon.
Buffalo schools are currently on a two bell system, with start times around 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. A three-bell system would move those starting times to 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 9:30 a.m.
"Our teachers have kids too," said Rumore. "You can't just give them 30 days notice to get their child care all straightened out."
Buffalo's Education and Equity Task Force has asked New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Education Department to step in, and declare a state of emergency, which would override the teachers' contract and allow for the implementation of a three-bell schedule.
"I would be surprised if that happened," Rumore said. "It's unprecedented."
Adding, "I would really be surprised if the governor or legislature would interfere in a local matter like that."
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What is the teachers' solution? "We need to find a way to allow teachers and parents, who can't change child care, to keep the same hours without having to transfer to another school. We haven't received anything from the district
on how they will address our concerns," noted Rumore. "The ball's in their court right now."
The district and teachers are currently at an impasse in contract negotiations. "We were going to go to fact-finding this week, but the independent fact finder came down with Covid," added Rumore. It's been rescheduled for January 4.