BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....The fall out from a series of crisis that has engulfed the Buffalo Public School District and its board of education could have a negative ripple effect on the entire city.
That's the fear -- and concerns - of Mayor Sean Ryan that the chaos surrounding the Buffalo Board of Education could paint an unwanted and undesired picture for all of Buffalo.
And, it could seriously derail concerted efforts by Ryan to help Buffalo regain its swagger in terms of landing new private sector investment, new residents and even, attempts to lure people back downtown.
"People don't want chaos," Ryan said. "They want stability."
Stability is not what people are seeing from the board of education.
Events from this week alone only added to a growing list of problems and issues hovering above the board of education and - by extension - the district.
Just to recount:
During a hastily called July 13th executive session, then-Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga suddenly resigned.
Despite all sorts of rumors, board members remained mum on the circumstances, citing legally-binding confidentiality clauses.
Board President Dr. Kathy Evans-Brown refused to answer questions.
Then, a July 16 notice of claim filed against Mubenga and Central District board member Lewis (Muki) Hawkins laid out graphic details of alleged sexual harassment claims leveled by a female district employee against both men.
Hawkins, as of late July 16, remained on the board.
For the past six weeks, the board has been dealing with sexual harassment allegations against an unnamed board member and hired an outside firm to investigate.
""It all comes down to transparency," Ryan said. "The decisions the board is making is disturbing and very chaotic.:"
This week's events come against the backdrop of other lingering issues include reports of physical attacks on teachers, other reports of sexual harassments and the fate of the heralded Leonardo DiVinci School.
Taken together and the issues are not only hurting the city but its 28,000-plus enrolled students.
"When adults squabble, children suffer," Ryan said.
Ryan admits he has little impact on the district and the board of education.
Under the current charter, the board of education and its $1.9 billion annual budget is a separate entity from the city.
Buffalo does allocate approximately $90 million annually to the district's budget.
"So, it does give me a bully pulpit," Ryan said.
Mayor has concerns about fall out from district's ongoing issues
Mayor has concerns about fall out from district's ongoing issues
