State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa: 'Things have to change'

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Amid a severe lack of confidence in the Buffalo Board of Education and the city school system from local leaders and everyday citizens, state Education Commissioner Dr. Betty Rosa came to Buffalo to meet with district officials and some leaders.

And, Rosa's immediate take away: "Things have to change," she said.

Rosa said she is considering a number of options ranging from bringing a team of outside advisors to, perhaps, having a state-backed monitor come in to help oversee the district and board of education operations - or, going one step further and bringing in a monitor who has veto power over all decisions and issues.

"Nothing is off the table," Rosa said. "I do need to take stock of all my options."

Interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock said she welcomes the state support.

"This is the right support, for this time," Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock said.

Rosa came to Buffalo at the urging of Assemblymen Jon Rivera and Pat Burke along with Mayor Sean Ryan - all of whom have raised questions about the controversy-laden school board.

Rivera said he was appreciative of Rosa making a quick trip to Buffalo - something he and Burke and Ryan all asked for late last week.

"We are shooting ourselves in the foot if we don't take advantage of every tool possible," Rivera said.

Rosa spent more than two hours in a closed-door meeting with school district officials, top city officials and Rivera and Burke.

While board president Dr. Kathy Evans-Brown was invited to the meeting none of the other eight school board members were invited - and most only found out late Tuesday from reporters. The Buffalo Teachers Federation was also not invited.

"You have to ask the president," said board vice president Adrianna Zullich.as to why the other board members weren't allowed to attend the meeting..

The commissioner came to Buffalo after what has been a tumultuous spring and summer for the board of education including dealing with a projected $80 million deficit; possible school closings, the sudden July 13 resignation of Superintendent Dr. Pascal Rubenga and three days later Rubenga and Central District board member Muki Hawkins were named in a legal notice of claim alleging sexual and personal harassment charges against both men.

Hawkins has refused to resign.

Rosa declined to comment on whether Hawkins should remain on the board, citing an ongoing investigation into the allegations.

"I only deal with facts," Rosa said.

Rosa and Ryan both expressed disappointment that the board named Roscoe Henderson III to fill the North District vacancy created when Cindi McEachon resigned in late June over a number of issues including the sexual harassment allegations against a female district employee and a lack of transparency on the board.

Rosa asked the board to hold off but it went ahead with the vetting of six candidates - ultimately selecting Henderson and swearing him in on July 22.

"Because of the complexity of all the issues, I wish they (the board) would have taken its time," Rosa said.

All things considered, Rosa said the focus should be on getting the district ready for the 2026-2027 school year and the nearly 30,000 enrolled students.

"The most important is to have all the schools open and addressing every child's needs," Rosa said.