News, Alerts & Events

Press Release
For Immediate Release
January 18, 2018

Rumore Defends Teachers and Parents Seeking Removal of School #18 Principal


“Teachers at School #18 and other teachers in the District are angered that the Superintendent, Dr. Kriner Cash, has rejected teacher and parent calls for the removal of Principal Aakta Patel, sided with the Principal and in effect said if you don’t like it at the school, leave”, stated Phil Rumore, President of BTF.

On 12/15/17, the BTF sent the Superintendent and Board of Education an extremely negative “School Climate Survey” relating to the Principal, Aakta Patel. The survey was mailed to the teachers at School #18 with their responses being mailed to BTF.

e.g. 25. Teachers feel that principal is truthful and trustworthy.
Agree - 2      Disagree - 32 (94%)

9. The building is safe for students and faculty.
Agree - 3      Disagree - 30 (91%)

3. Actions taken in response to student behavior referrals are appropriate and consistent.
Agree - 2      Disagree - 32 (94%)

20. Teachers feel confident expressing concerns to the principal without fear of retaliation.
Agree - 3      Disagree - 31 (91%)

1. There are clear and consistent procedures/policies in place relating to student behavior.
Agree - 4      Disagree - 30 (88%)

There were similar results on the Climate Survey completed while Ms. Patel was assigned to West Hertel Elementary School as an Assistant Principal.

In addition, an on-line petition for the removal of Principal Patel is being circulated by a parent of a student at School #18, www.change.org/p/dr-kriner-cash-transfer-aatka-patel.

“Teachers across the District are so disappointed and angered by the Superintendent siding with the Principal against the teachers, despite the fact that written documents were supplied to him and the Board, that they plan to bring a motion against his statements and position at our next Council of Delegates meeting (a meeting of all school representatives).

Since this is not the actions of the Superintendent, with whom I have worked with cooperatively, I hope he will reconsider his statements and position”, Rumore concluded.

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

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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.
          
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Calendar

 March 2024
 19   Executive Committee Meeting
 19   Council of Delegate Meeting             
 20   BTF Delegate Training (@ BTF)
 26   Retirement Seminar
 29   Good Friday (BTF Office Closed)
 
 April 2024
1-8   Spring Recess
 13   BTF Delegate Training (@ NYSUT)
 18   Executive Committee Meeting          
 18   Council of Delegate Meeting

Office Information

Mailing Address:
Buffalo Teachers Federation
271 Porter Avenue
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Phone: 716-881-5400
 
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Fax:     716-881-0580
 
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