Buffalo Teachers Federation confronts school board president

During a special board meeting on Wednesday, some Buffalo Public School board members, teachers, and staff spoke out against actions by President Sharon Belton-Cottman.

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Some tell 7 News reporter Yoselin Person that this follows comments Belton-Cottman made regarding concerns over school violence which some found inappropriate.

“To say something so outlandish and my comments to her is how many fights she breaks up a year,” says Marc Bruno, teacher of Riverside High School. “Teachers are very upset because it was really disrespectful for the fact that we do go to work in really insane conditions in many of our schools. I mean conditions most people don’t understand because they can’t see it and breaking up really horrific fights with chairs being thrown.

President of Buffalo Teacher Federation Rich Nigro was at the meeting to address those remarks by Cottman.

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“It wasn’t a true representation of what our teachers are and what they go through on their daily struggles, the challenges they face in the classrooms it wasn’t a fair representation of our members,” he says. “And normally a comment like that was made in private we would have a private conversation, but since she made it publicly, I was compelled to respond publicly.”

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“I wish we can make amends and I wish that this district can move forward,” he expresses. “I’d like to say I’m here to protect the kids in this district, teachers and staff members as well as the superintendent," says board member Terrance Heard.

7 News spoke with Cottman to get her response.

“If it offended someone, I’m sorry. It’s not my intent,” Cottman says. “If Rich had a problem with what I said he should’ve contacted me directly and we would’ve talked about it. I’m not going to be bullied. I’m not going to be silenced. I’m going to represent the parents and children.”

She also had something to say about violence in some Buffalo schools.

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“What we need to do is have training professional development again,” Cottman says. “We have not done it for a while and expectations are set on how to de-escalate.”

School Superintendent Dr. Tonja Willaims and President Cottman plan to meet privately to discuss these issues further.