Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Even though her title reads "interim superintendent", Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock said she will be acting like a permanent superintendent.
Prophet-Bullock was named officially sworn in as interim superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools on Thursday, replacing Dr. Pascal Mubenga, who abruptly resigned on July 13 and was later named - along Central District school board member Lewis "Muki" Hawkins - in a notice of claim alleging sexual and personal harassment of a district employee.
The daughter of a respected educator and product of the Buffalo school system, Prophet-Bullock said her focus is singular - prepping the district for the 2026-2027 school year that begins for its 30,000-plus students on Sept. 3.
"Our students deserve an excellent, inclusive, well-rounded education," Prophet-Bullock said.
True, the school board - and by extension the district - is mired in controversy and community mistrust.
There the allegations against Mubenga, who left the district just 11 months into his tenure, and Hawkins.
And, there transparency issues with the board and a projected $80 million budget deficit and the possible closure of schools, still Prophet-Bullock said the focus should be on the students and not the distractions.
"There's a lot of noise and I understand the confusion, but I want to see the next Barack Obama come out of this district," Prophet-Bullock said. "My children can't be the only ones who make it out of this system and succeed in life."
For now, the only thing on Prophet-Bullock's mind is Sept. 3 when schools open.
Prophet-Bullock wants the district to be student and teacher-ready.
"Every decision I make in the next three weeks will be focusing on the students and the new school year," Prophet-Bullock said.
The new interim superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools says she is solely focused on the students
The new interim superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools says she is solely focused on the students
