Buffalo, NY (WBEN) After Buffalo Common Councilmember Ulysses Wingo learned he would not be charged for bringing a gun into a Buffalo school earlier this month, the Buffalo School board is addressing Wingo's status on the Common Council's education committee.
The board says in a resolution it will take up for a vote in the June 19th meeting. "Whereas Mr. Wingo’s violation of the law and board policy have compromised the safety and forfeited the trust of students and staff of the Buffalo Pubic Schools, impacting his ability to work effectively with the District," reads part of the resolution.
The board calls for the council to remove Wingo permanently from membership and the chairmanship of the Common Council Education Committee effective immediately.
Here's the full resolution:
Whereas the Buffalo City School District is committed to upholding all state, federal, and local laws, including those related to the presence of guns in schools and on school property, and
Whereas NYS Law 265.01(a) and Buffalo Board of Education Policy 3411 strictly prohibits the unauthorized presence of guns anywhere on School District property, with the sole exception being commissioned law enforcement officers for duty related purposes, and
Whereas communities across the United States are besieged by gun violence and the horrific, unspeakable events that have occurred inside our nation’s schools, and
Whereas across the nation, all school districts, law enforcement authorities, civic leadership, and parents are especially vigilant concerning the uncompromised safety of our students, and
Whereas on May 14, 2019, Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. admitted to bringing a loaded gun into a Buffalo Public School, and
Whereas upon being informed of the incident, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kriner Cash immediately barred Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. from entering any Buffalo City School District property unless he receives expressed written authorization from the Superintendent of Schools, and
Whereas on May 23, 2019, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn declared that Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr. committed a crime as a result of his actions, and
Whereas Mr. Wingo’s violation of the law and board policy have compromised the safety and forfeited the trust of students and staff of the Buffalo Public Schools, impacting his ability to work effectively with the District;
Therefore be it resolved, as a consequence of his irresponsible and illegal behavior, the Buffalo Board of Education requests that Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo Sr. be permanently removed from membership and the chairmanship of the Common Council Education Committee effective immediately.