Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore isn't backing down in the face of layoff threats from the school district.
Schools Superintendent Pamela Brown says 30-day layoff notices may go out in two weeks.
It's the latest stage of the fight over evaluating teachers. With the union refusing to talk, Brown says it may cost the district $59 million in aid, and bringing the threat of layoffs.
The union is refusing to talk because of a fight over involuntary transfer of teachers, with the district fighting an arbitrator's decision.
Rumore says the school system has plenty of money to avoid layoffs.
"The district has probably over a $60 million surplus, $30 million more than it needs," Rumore said.
"So, to talk about layoffs is something that's just a scare tactic that's not going to sit well with teachers. To think that they would send out layoff notices right before the holiday season is just callous."
Rumore says he's been notified by the state court system the appeal of the arbitrator's decision won't be heard until April with a decision likely in May.
