Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - In keeping with the district’s four-year fiscal stability plan, Buffalo Public Schools interim superintendent Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock informed the Buffalo Board of Education on Friday of plans to submit a school closure proposal for its review and approval.
According to the proposal, starting in the 2027-28 school year, eight schools will close:
- PS 59 - Dr. Charles R. Drew Science
- PS 131 - Academy School @ 86
- PS 366 - Research Laboratory High School
- PS 33 - Bilingual Center
- PS 82 - Ronald Peoples School of Scholars
- PS 208 - Riverside Academy
- PS 309 - East High School
- PS 90 - Early Childhood Center
Five of these schools will be repurposed, while PS 59, PS 131, and Research Laboratory High School PS 366 will close permanently.
View interim superintendent Dr. Prophet-Bullock’s remarks on the closure proposal HERE
The proposal to close schools is the result of three realities: Declining enrollment, the rising costs of operating nearly 60 schools, and ensuring schools have the staff they need.
Elementary school students impacted will transfer to other nearby quality elementary schools in the district.
High school students will still be able to enroll in other BPS high schools to prepare them for college, good-paying jobs in the trades, or serving in the armed forces.
Students from PS 33 Bilingual Center can study in both Spanish and English at PS 3 D’Youville Porter Campus School, PS 30 Frank A. Sedita Academy, and PS 76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy, while strengthening ties to the rich culture of Buffalo's West Side.
PS 90 Early Childhood Center will be repurposed as a pre-kindergarten special education center.
Research Laboratory High School will merge with Leonardo daVinci High School. Having these two schools relocate to Riverside High School will help build stronger relationships with local colleges.
Students from Riverside High School will have the opportunity to select the school of their choice based on their chosen Career Technical Education pathways and to pursue greater opportunities.
East Community High School will become the home of the Buffalo Rising Academy, allowing students various pathways to get back on track and graduate from high school.
Administrative staff currently spread throughout the district, will now be at either PS 33 or PS 82. In honor of Ronald Peoples, PS 82 will be renamed Ronald Peoples Academic Building.
Based on projections from the district’s finance department, 108 FTE positions districtwide will be eliminated under the school closure proposal. The 108 figure includes approximately 73 teaching positions. That could decrease with retirements or current vacancies not filled.
Buffalo Public Schools’ restructuring proposal will affect approximately 2,300 students across the district.
Interim superintendent Bullock and members of her cabinet will be meeting directly with families, staff, community partners, the faith-based community, and elected officials to discuss the proposal and listen to questions and concerns.
There will be three public meetings:
- Thursday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. - Virtual meeting
- Thursday, Oct. 15 at, 5:30 p.m. - Renovation Church
- Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. - PS 156 Frederick Law Olmsted
Hearings will be held this month
Hearings will be held this month
