Here are a few updates from Wednesday night’s Board Meeting:
Labor Contracts:
Approved contract with AFL-CIO (Local 264) representing mechanics, maintenance personnel, drivers, technicians, laborers, and stock clerks
Approved an MOU to increase pay for Food Service Workers
This follows this year’s new contracts with Buffalo Educational Support Team, Transportation Aides of Buffalo, an Buffalo Association of Substitute Administrators
Transportation:
There was a lengthy and robust discussion on bus transportation after community input and presentations from the BPS Director of Transportation and First Student
Powerpoint Presentation: Addressing Driver Shortage
679 applicants since September
Stringent permit, training, and onboarding process, which eliminates many candidates, some due to drug testing to meet Department of Transportation standards, no longer required in many other professions in NYS
Using NFTA to transport 7th and 8th graders was discussed
Aides on buses are budgeted for and a job posting remains. The problem, other drivers and other professions, is a lack of applicants
Superintendent recommended the formation of Transportation Task Force and revisiting the use of National Guard with Governor Hochul as a remedy after it was declined in September
My opinion: Paying parents to drive students to school has not been a proven solution and has liabilities. It also will end up paying the parents who have the means to provide their own transportation; those who need it least. Shifting students to remote learning is also not a solution. There is not a high demand for students to be remote and our students need to be in school where they learn best and where social-emotional needs can be best addressed.
COVID Data:
ECDOH data indicates that cases and hospitalizations for COVID have stabilized and are showing signs of decline
Oishei Children’s Hospital is at capacity due mainly to RSV cases
None of children who are hospitalized with COVID have been vaccinated
City COVID cases are proportionate with county population
BPS has had 319 known COVID cases (92 staff and 227 students)
Medical Exemption requests for remote learning: 148 / Mask exemption requests: 48
Immunizations:
Began year with 4,000 students not in compliance with immunizations, now down to 804 students