Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Interim Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams is pressing on with her school safety agenda amidst another instance of violence in the district.
Buffalo Police report two teachers at Performing Arts High School were injured Monday in fights at the school.
The fights come as the interim superintendent and school board advance an overall school safety initiative across the district.
"The Board of Education has shown full support of Dr. Williams' vision and the entire District staff is on board with moving the agenda forward," the district said in a statement late Monday. "In addition to school safety, the Interim Superintendent's Executive Staff has been working collaboratively with the NFTA, Buffalo Police, and First Student to ensure safety on all school buses transporting students to and from school."
Williams has sent a letter regarding safety initiatives to all district residents. In the letter she states, "Please know that ALL threats and actions involving student altercations, fights, and violent acts are taken very seriously and are thoroughly investigated."
The district reports the following actions have occurred with regard to safety since Williams was placed in charge of the district:
o Scheduled discussion with Mayor Byron W. Brown, regarding the District's needs
o Met with two Board-approved parent groups, the District Parent Coordinating Council (DPCC) and the Buffalo Parent-Teacher Organization (BPTO), and meeting with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) this evening, to express the need for input from parents and encourage them to partner with the District to help achieve its safety goals
o Visited schools to ensure that all District safety procedures and protocols are being followed and will continue to visit moving forward
o Attended Sunday morning services at Friendship Baptist Church and Elim's Christian Fellowship Church to communicate that support from parents and stakeholders is essential for the District to make progress
o Immediate Safety Plans presentation, including representatives from the NFTA and BPD
at the Board of Education Meeting on March 16th,
o Created a letter outlining BPS safety measures and expectations and disseminated it districtwide (see attached) to all parents and caregivers
o Created a survey to be completed by every Buffalo Public School Leadership Team assessing the current safety and security measures in each school
o Authorized the immediate procurement of gold-standard Walkie Talkies for District schools
o Hired additional BPS School Security Officers
o Assessing safety and transportation needs on First Student buses to implement a plan to address human capital and structural adjustment needs
