Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The return to class at McKinley High School in Buffalo will be delayed until the week of February 28 following what was referenced as 'overwhelming input' in the aftermath of a violent incident outside the school last week.
Seniors will return to class on the 28th, juniors will return Tuesday, March 1 and the 9th and 10th grade students will return on Wednesday, March 2, according to schools superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash.
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During the meeting, which focused largely on the fallout following the stabbing and shooting incident at the school, Cash also said he has been in touch with the 14-year-old student who was stabbed and announced he is homeless and the district was working to help him and his mother. The student is recovering after extensive surgery following multiple stab wounds.
Cash also has spoken with the security guard who was shot while intervening in the incident and said, "The young man is going to be ok." Brad Walker was shot during the incident at the school and was again described as a hero by Cash during the meeting.
As the school board session opened, board president Lou Petrucci asked those in attendance if they were there as a result of the McKinley incident and many raised their hands. The McKinley High School ROTC class presented the colors prior to the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Most of the panel of speakers who registered to speak at the board meeting focused their comments directly on the McKinley situation and violence in general in and around schools.
Pastor James Giles of Peacemakers has been walking the halls of McKinley in recent days and called it one of the best institutions and said, "We have to set better examples as adults."
Robert Boreanaz, representing 250 principals and administrators in the district, pleaded with the School Board to provide basic security measures.
"Many of our buildings do not have fully functioning PA systems. Imagine an effort to try and lockdown a school because of an emergency without fully functioning PA systems throughout our buildings," he said. In addition, Boreanaz pointed out that many buildings do not have fully functioning security cameras, walkie talkies, or functioning swipe card readers for teachers to safely enter and exit.
McKinley's new principal, Moustafa KhalilI, appeared at the meeting and described the close-knit community within McKinley High School. Khalill said the healing process continues and has confidence the student body, teachers and administrators can work to overcome the trauma left from the incident. "I want it to be the best school in Buffalo...we are McKinley strong," he exclaimed in closing his remarks.
Sam Radford, a frequently vocal parent voice in the schools and a McKinley grandparent said the voices of the parents are not being heard by the district. "In this moment, more than ever, we need to have a unified front," he said. "We can’t continue to be in a situation where we’re reacting."
After hearing a number of speakers criticize the district and point fingers of blame for the violence, Cash responded by simply saying, "This is not the time to do the blame thing."
"I'm here to help," said Cash.
