Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibilityParents, teachers union at odds over BPS transportation plan

Parents, teachers union at odds over BPS transportation plan


On Tuesday morning, parent advocate Sam Radford invited elected officials to come up with a solution to address the school bus driver shortage.{ }{p}{/p}
On Tuesday morning, parent advocate Sam Radford invited elected officials to come up with a solution to address the school bus driver shortage.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As the busing crisis continues at Buffalo Public Schools, a parent advocate is calling on state and local leaders to help, after the Buffalo Teachers Federation overwhelmingly voted no to a proposal by the district for a staggered start time.

Last month, Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams introduced a proposal to solve the bus driver shortage called the the 'three bell system,' staggering school start times by half an hour. The move would reduce the number of routes, eliminating the need for more drivers and getting students to and from school without long wait times.

Data from the school district shows that in September and October, about 1500 students have had to wait for buses to pick them up or take them home, in some cases for hours at the end of the school day.

But more than 1800 teachers in the Buffalo Teacher’s Federation, about 84%, voted “no” on the idea. Only 273 voted yes.

“Our position is why don’t we address the problem? The problem is getting more school bus drivers," said Phil Rumore, president of the Buffalo Teachers Federation.

Rumore sent a letter to Dr. Williams and the school board with reasons why the teachers voted no, which include not approving that the district be allowed to make a schedule change with only 30 days’ notice.

“What if I have children at two different schools and all of a sudden, they have two different starting times?” said Rumore.

Instead Rumore wants to solve the issues of bus driver eligibility.

“From what we understand, a lot of the candidates failed the written test. All of us that know about tests know that they don’t always measure what’s supposed to be measured," said Rumore.

“If BTF and the school district can come to an agreement, that’s an ideal situation, but the fact they don’t come up with a solution is not a reason for our children to continue to stand on the bus stop and not know if a bus is coming," said Sam Radford, co-chair of We the Parents.

On Tuesday morning, parent advocate Sam Radford invited elected officials to come up with a solution.

Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees Wingo says the people voting on the plan should live in Buffalo. On Tuesday afternoon he introduced a resolution supporting the three bell system.

“The teachers voted though, who don’t live in the city, who are not directly impacted by this, made a decision for the families who send their children here, who have no other options," said Buffalo Common Councilmember Ulysees Wingo.

But Rumore says many of the teachers do have children who attend Buffalo Public Schools, and where they live shouldn’t matter.

“They teach here because they care about the kids so what difference does it make where they live?” he said.

The BTF is currently amid contract negotiations with the district, which includes coming up with a transportation plan.

Radford accused the BTF of voting no on the three bell system as a ploy to gaining a better contract.

“Our children are a pawn of their negotiations in their collective bargaining agreement," said Radford.

But Rumore attended a meeting with Radford two weeks ago, and says he laid out the union’s reasons for rejecting the plan, and it has nothing to do with contract negotiations.

“It’s an insult. He’s wrong as always," he said.

"That’s one of the issues that is not holding up negotiations."