Buffalo School District Worse Scenario: 500 Layoffs

Buffalo Superintendent Dr. James Williams has set forth two budget scenarios, the worse of which would mean 178 teachers to lose their jobs, 300 bus aides get cut, and 25 white collar jobs are pruned.

The best case scenario outlined by Williams involves employees paying for 20 percent of their health care package (in addition to giving up plastic surgery options), and a change in the structure for charter school funding.

“They’ve had their pay frozen for three years, they haven’t had a new contract in five years, and in addition to that, they’re among the lowest paid teachers in Erie County. So, it wouldn’t be fair to make them to pay anything toward their health care,” said Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore.

The Buffalo School District is facing a budget shortfall of $34 million for the next fiscal year.