Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Parents, students and Buffalo residents came in droves Tuesday night to the Frederick Law Olmsted School - driven by the common thread of passion, concern and angst that centers on a proposal by the deficit-driven Buffalo Public Schools that could as many as 10 schools close or merge to start the 2027-28 academic year.
The almost universal theme: With a possible vote on the proposal by the Buffalo Board of Education later Wednesday (Oct. 21) - residents are asking for a delay to give the board more time to review the proposed cuts.
Some of the school board members agree that a delay -even by a few weeks - might be the more prudent move.
"We don't want to be forced into a bad decision," Central District representative Lewis (Muki) Hawkins said.
But, interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock said the plan has been under review since March.
"The longer we delay, the more it is going to hurt," Prophet-Bullock said.
With the possibility of facing a $60 million budget deficit - or longer, the district leadership has been wrestling with cost-cutting moves.
Prophet-Bullock said the cuts are needed and have drawn mixed opinions.
"We recognize there is some support and there are others who highly disagree," Prophet-Bullock said : "We respect those differences."
The most current plan - delivered to board members early on Oct. 20 included a few new twists including closing School 17 and repurposing it into an administrative building.
It shifts both Leonardo daVinci High School and Research Laboratory High School back to Riverside Academy.
Both were originally slated to Riverside Academy and then to East Community High School.
Supporters of both high schools do not favor the merged high school plan.
Concerns were also raised about closing PS 33, the district's bilingual center and moving its students into other schools.
"I understand the trauma," Prophet-Bullock said. "It's about sharing and pooling resources."
Prophet-Bullock said a final decision is needed - sooner rather than later - so the district, parents, students and educators can make appropriate plans.
"We've already given the principals in the effected schools a bevy of information," Prophet-Bullock said.
Parents and students of Buffalo Public Schools are pushing for a delayed vote on possible school closings
Parents and students of Buffalo Public Schools are pushing for a delayed vote on possible school closings
