The Buffalo Teachers Federation may have taken a major hit Monday when the new state education commissioner backed a receivership plan for five failing city schools. The plan would allow administrators to mostly bypass union agreements.
What's involved are five buildings known as persistently struggling schools, buildings which have been in academic trouble for at least 10 years. That includes West Hertel Elementary, South Park, Marva J. Daniels Futures, Burgard and Buffalo Elementary School of Technology.
Under an order from the State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, the system can expand the school day and school year and transfer teachers in and out involuntarily.
"I don't know if you call it a victory," said School Board member Jay McCarthy. "But, maybe you do call it a victory because it's a victory for the students in the classrooms right now. We've known what we needed to do for so many years but haven't been able to do it because of a collective bargaining agreement."
If teachers have to work more hours and more days, under the commissioner's order, they have to be paid more.
Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore has repeatedly stated the District bargained in "bad faith." Rumore tells WBFO News there were unsuccessful bargaining sessions.
"Proposals that make no sense. We were willing to sit down and discuss with them, lengthening the school day and school year as long as the teachers were compensated and we know what they were going to use it for. But, they made no attempt to do that. But, we're take a look at it and we'll move on from there," said Rumore.
It's likely the BTF will go to court to fight the order which Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash would otherwise be able to put into effect immediately.
WBFO News reached out to Dr. Cash for comment, but we were told he won't be offering interviews today.
“Students at these Persistently Struggling schools need help right now,” said Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “The receivership law gives the superintendent enhanced authority in order to maintain local control while facilitating rapid improvement in student outcomes. This receivership collective bargaining agreement will, among other things, enable Dr. Cash to more effectively utilize and deploy effective teachers and make changes to programs and teaching assignments – all of which will ensure that students in these struggling schools are provided with increased educational opportunities.”
