BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Faced with a canyon-like budget deficit that could balloon to $91 million, the Buffalo Board of Education is inching its way towards what will be an unpopular decision that could see 10 city schools either closed or merged and 73 teachers losing their jobs along with others in the administration.
That's the harsh reality that can't be overlooked after nearly one month of public meetings and listening sessions all focused on what most consider a painful and heart-wrenching decision to close or merge schools and laying off employees.
The culprit: Years of ignoring warning financial warning signs.
"It's not fair and it doesn't feel good," admitted Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock, interim superintendent. "None of it feels good."
Students, teachers and parents from virtually all of the impacted schools continued to plead their respective cases during a 2.5-hour long public meeting Monday night.
A final Board of Education vote may be coming in the next few weeks in order to begin a coordinated transition plan, Prophet-Bullock said.
The closings will help shave an estimated $24 million from a projected $61 million budget deficit on the district's annual $1.2 billion budget.
If no schools are closed, the deficit would jump to $91 million, warned district CFO Jim Barnes, and that would trigger a series of adjustments including dropping some athletic programs, cutting out summer school and facing a hard control board overseen by the state Department of Education.
"This is, unfortunately, the best available option," Barnes said.
Virtually all in attendance agreed the current interim superintendent and board is being forced by delays from the past.
"We, the students, are the ones who are being hurt," said Kaci D'Vault, a Riverside student. "We are not numbers. We are students."
Monday's meeting attracted not only students, parents and teachers but key political leaders like Assembly Majority leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Buffalo Council members Joseph Golembek Jr., David Rivera and Leah Halton-Pope.
All nine members of the school board were there as well.
Riverside High School social studies teacher Mark Bruno was point blank in the proposal to close his school but use the building as the new home for Leonard Di Vinci High School and Research Laboratory High School.
That move would force Riverside's 350 students to find a new high school.
"It's like they are being thrown out with the trash," Bruno said.
That is not the case, Prophet-Bullock said.
Alternative locations are being worked on for Riverside's students.
"We are going to get through this, but it won't be easy," Prophet-Bullock said. "All students matter."
Budget deficit may reach $91 million if no schools close
Budget deficit may reach $91 million if no schools close
