By Mark Wozniak
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Schools DSuperintendent Dr. James Williams submitted his first budget proposal to the school board's Finance and Operations Committee Tuesday.
The $729 million budget would add nearly $17 million to classroom initiative and projects. Williams says the spending plan assumes implementation of the controversial single health care provider plan for teachers.
"There are risks associated with this budget. But we feel very confident that it's a good risk," Williams said. "That is, we calculated the savings from the single health care area to balance the budget."
Buffalo Teachers Federation President Philip Rumore says the district continues to try to impose the single health care provider provision without negotiations.