BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....Faced with the tightest of tight deadlines to have bus passes and NFTA service available for its 11,000 high school students, the Buffalo School Board members unanimously approved a five-year, nearly $81 million contract with the authority - even though the new pact is 60% more than what it paid last school year.
The contract - first presented to the board on Aug. 19 - had to be in place by Aug. 27 in order to get the passes delivered to the district's high school students by Sept. 3 - the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
"To me, it's only about making sure 11,000 students get to school on Sept. 3," said Ebony Prophet-Bullock, interim superintendent.
Despite many questions asked during the past week, Prophet-Bullock urged the board to approve the contract because getting the students into schools is paramount..
"You did right by pausing last week and asking the right questions," Prophet-Bullock told the board members.
The contract was presented to the board just hours before the Aug. 19 meeting as negotiations between the NFTA and district ended only hours earlier.
The board, at an Aug. 26 special meeting, unanimous approved the contract 8-0 with West District member Talia Rodriguez missing due to a work conflict.
"We still have concerns over the increase in costs," said Larry Scott, an at-large board member.
The $80.9 million contract is 60% more than the $50.4 million pact that expired at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Under the terms of the five-year pact, the school district is paying $85.60 per month per student - a 21% hike from the $70 per student/per month it was charged last academic year.
The NFTA charges the general public $75 per month.
Board members questioned why the district was paying well above the NFTA's "individual" rate.
"It is not a good look when the Buffalo School District is being charged more than the average citizen," said Dr. Kathy Evans-Brown, board president.
But, Prophet-Bullock countered that the pressing need to get the students to their respective high schools was the top issue.
James Barnes, district CFO, said the NFTA takes on additional costs with school students including increased security on the buses and running 32 district-wide special bus routes.
"It feels like we are getting strong-armed by the NFTA," said Erik Bohen, Park District board member. "But, we do have to get the kids to school."
Board members asked if a one-year deal was on the table with the NFTA but Barnes said the authority won't budge from the five-year offer.
Nahaniel Kuzma, board counsel, said the contract includes an "out" that can be exercised with six months notice and no penalties.
"You are not locked in," Kuzma said.
Board members unanimously approved five-year, $81 million contract - even though they don't like the pact
Board members unanimously approved five-year, $81 million contract - even though they don't like the pact
