Sam Radford on BPS cuts: 'Hard but necessary' proposal

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN)......Few people have the institutional knowledge of the Buffalo Public Schools as long time community activist Sam Radford III.

Radford, whose many roles include overseeing the Western New York Education Equity Task Force, said he thinks the just-released, rightsizing proposals offered by Interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock may seem Draconian, at first, but are long overdue and necessary.

The proposals, which include closing 8 schools and eliminating 108 full time equivalent positions including 73 teaching positions, may seem jarring especially against the backdrop of a year full of controversies, but they are needed to help the ailing district advance.

"You can't keep kicking these decisions down the road," Radford said. "This is definitely not a knee jerk reaction."

On top of a possible $60 million budget deficit, rightsizing proposals made by Dr. Prophet-Bullock may shave at least $24 million off of that deficit.

"There will be negative feedback but these decisions are hard but necessary,: Radford said.

Among the proposals:

* The following schools are scheduled to be closed--

PS 59 Dr. Charles R. Drew Science Academy

PS 131 Academy School @ 86

PS 366 Research Laboratory High School

PS 33 Bilingual Center

PS 82 Ronald Peoples School of Scholars

PS 208 Riverside Academy

PS 309 East High School

PS 90 Early Childhood Center

The targeted schools have declining enrollment, rising operating costs and staffing issues.

Five of the schools will repurposed and three - PS 59, PS 131 and PS 366 will close permanently.

In addition, Research Lab High School and the Leonardo daVinci High School will relocate to Riverside High School - solving building issues for both high schools.

Riverside students will have the option of choosing what high school they want to attend.

All of the proposals are subject to review by Buffalo Board of Education, who has work sessions planned and, Dr. Prophet-Bullock will be holding community input sessions before any final vote is cast.

"That she (Dr. Prophet-Bullock) is doing something is impotant," Radford said.