BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....Given the stakes that comes with any vote by the Buffalo Board of Education, board members are leaning towards postponing any action that may result in the closing of eight schools and reducing the teaching staff by 73 positions.
In order to the impacted students and their families ample time to adjust for any shift in the school they attend, interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock wants the board to cast their votes at a scheduled Oct. 21 meeting.
The possible school closings and mergers are needed as the district is facing a projected $60 million budget deficit.
Prophet-Bullock said her recommendations were painful to even consider, especially as she is a student's advocate.
"We're between a rock and hard place," Dr. Prophet-Bullock told WBEN on Oct. 15.
But, Dr. Prophet-Bullock's recommendations were forwarded to school board members earlier this month and reading the tea leaves of the board members - they'd prefer to hold until November so they can do a deeper dive on the recommendations.
"No one wants to see any school close, but we are in a lot of (financial) trouble," said Erik Bohen, Park District board member.
Fellow board member Lewis (Muki) Hawkins, who represents the Central District said he is concerned about the tight timeline.
"We can't be forced into making bad decisions," Hawkins said. "Whatever decision we make, has to be one that the best for our students."
The Buffalo school district has 28,000 enrolled students plus another 10,000 enrolled in charter schools.
The district operates on a $1.2 billion annual budget - much of which comes from state funds.
District officials have been warning of possible school closings for the past few years - often times citing budget concerns.
Last year, then-Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga recommended closing two schools but school board members balked at his suggestion.
"We don't have the money to sustain all of our schools," Bohen said. "If we don't close any schools, we will be in a lot of trouble."
Both Bohen and Hawkins say even taking one more month to make a decision is a sensible approach.
Hawkins said he wants more information on how academic programs will be increased with less schools.
"Personally, I need more time to think this through and I'm sure I'm not alone," Hawkins said.
Buffalo school board members leaning towards more time before they take any school closings vote.
Buffalo school board members leaning towards more time before they take any school closings vote.
