BUFFALO, N.Y. — Phil Rumore will step down as the Buffalo Teachers Federation president at the end of June, he announced Wednesday.
Rumore served as the teachers union president for more than 40 years.
"While I have, at times, thought of retiring, there was always something looming that caused me to re-consider. Now, as a result of our solidarity, we have a contract proposal through 2025-2026 that I am hopeful will be approved," he said in an email to the teachers union.
"Therefore, since I am confident that your future is secure. I will with heartfelt appreciation, retire at the end of my term on June 30, 2023."
The Teachers Federation scheduled an additional negotiation session Tuesday, which resulted in another memo from Rumore to members saying he felt confident that a deal could be reached when the two parties meet Friday.
The Buffalo Board of Education discussed the contract Wednesday during an executive session. No information about the terms of the contract has been released beyond its three-year length.
The federation scheduled a tentative ratification date for Monday.
Rumore sat down with 2 On Your Side last Thursday to discuss the negotiations and his legacy as BTF President.
“The legacy is the legacy of the teachers, in other words, always pulling together and all of those difficult times,” he said. “I don't consider that I have a legacy. I consider that the legacy is something that we all have, pulling together.”
Rumore’s successor will be determined in the coming weeks during next month’s Buffalo Teachers Federation election where a number of candidates have been nominated, including his long-term vice president Rebecca Pordum.