BTF Rejects Kriner's Cash

The Buffalo News has reported that the Buffalo Teacher's Federation has unanimously rejected the Buffalo School District's proposed pay increase of 10%. This amounts to less than 1% per year. We need to remember that they have been working without a contract for almost 11 years now.

This translates into a loss of $600,000 lifetime earnings and over $10,000 in retirement benefits. The district also demanded an increase in the amount of money that teachers would pay for their health insurance benefits, which would be reduced. They also want a longer school day and school year.

Buffalo is losing out on the fight for good new teachers. As experienced teachers retire or leave for districts where the pay and benefits packages are better, the lack of a good contract that respects teacher for who they are and what they do is crippling the district and harming the students.

Lumped on top of these problems is the fact that Superintendent Cash has received from Commissioner Elia receivership power of 20 more schools potentially (for a total of 25 schools) and there is a very hostile environment in the district that will and is scaring away good new teachers. Rather than being a first choice for aspiring teachers, it is becoming the district of last resort according to student teachers that I have spoken with over the last few years.

The News article also reported on other aspects of the pay scale and benefits which might be able to be ratified if the district resolves the back pay issue. That is the 800 pound elephant, gorilla (choose your large animal) in the room that needs to be addressed.

All teachers want is to be respected and the Buffalo School Board has been nothing short of unfair to the teachers for over a decade. With the newer members being anti-union, anti-teacher, and pro-privatization, I don't see how Buffalo can even think about planning an educational renaissance.

I have read several stories about teacher turnover in private, charter schools. Teachers are overworked, underpaid and threatened with firing if they even talk of unionization. This creates an unstable atmosphere that contributes to the stress of teaching.

Buffalo's students and families deserve better than this.

Teachers need:

1. Fair compensation from 2004 to present. They have worked hard without a contract. Give them what they deserve.

2. Fair benefits: Appropriate health insurance and retirement. If the state can kick all this money out for charter schools (which cost more than public schools), they can help with these issues.

3. Respect from the School Board. Face it – No teachers, no education, and no schools. Teachers are the ones on the front lines of education. The School Board is like the generals who make all the plans and sit back and await the glory. I do need to double check to see if any board members are retired teachers. (And pardon my use of a military analogy there. It fit.)

4. Respect from the media. Throughout this whole situation in Buffalo the media has done nothing but slam the Buffalo teachers as the problem. Aside form teaching college courses, does anyone in the media have any educational expertise? They should read Tony Danza's book and offer a front page formal apology for their baseless attacks on the teachers.