New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) is in full support of the Buffalo Teachers Federation, which filed a lawsuit against the Buffalo schools on Friday.

"Right now, we are involved in the lawsuit in Buffalo. Going back to what the governor said in September, confidence (is critical)," NYSUT President Andy Pallotta told Capital Tonight. "There must be confidence by the whole school community. And I believe in this instance, there was not that confidence, that the schools were ready to be opened as far as the buildings."

When asked what the BTF wasn’t confident about, Pallotta said a variety of issues.

"In our conversations, what they have been asking for, is to know if each and every school building has been OK'ed. Has the HVAC systems been checked? Are all windows operable? Is there enough room in the nurse’s office to actually have students who are sick to sit 6 feet from each other? Is there enough PPE in the buildings?" Pallotta explained. "These are the questions that they’re asking and that they haven’t got the answers to yet."

The Buffalo Teachers Federation sued Buffalo Public Schools, Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash, the Board of Education and the City of Buffalo in state Supreme Court in Albany for demanding that all teachers report to school today, Monday, while the union still awaits answers to a list of questions.

According to the lawsuit, BTF requested information including

  • A list of school buildings where at least MERV11-rated filters is installed, and the initial date of installation
  • Copy of records indicating repairs to windows to make them operable
  • Copy of instructions, including written documents to maintenance workers regarding procedures for cleaning and disinfecting each school building
  • How much PPE has been provided to each school

The union is also requesting a copy of communication plans for students, parents, staff and visitors; as well as a copy of written temperature screening protocols for each school.

Capital Tonight asked NYSUT’s Pallotta for his message to parents who are eager to see their kids back to in-school learning.

"We have to make sure that everyone is confident. We know that parents are eager. We also know that we have to err on the side of caution," Pallotta said. "We also have to talk about vaccinations."