Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - In the waning hours before Wednesday night's Buffalo School Board meeting, interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock continued her eleventh hour push to have the Board members vote, and not delaye on her controversial plan that could see as many as 10 schools close or merge.
Public sentiment continues to push for a delayed Board vote - perhaps pushing it back until later in November.
Several Board members says they are leaning that way, especially since a revised version of the cost-cutting plan was delivered to them just 36 hours before Wednesday night's meeting.
Some Board members feel like they are being pushed into making "a bad decision."
"It's time to rip off the Band-Aid," Prophet-Bullock said.
The financially-ailing school district is facing a budget deficit of at least $60 million.
Prophet-Bullock's plan, which includes laying off 73 teachers, is actually the latest chapter in proposals by past administrations to reduce district spending.
Much of the district's $1.2 billion budget comes from state, county, city and federal resources.
Prophet-Bullock said if the board votes tonight, it would afford the district enough time to handle all the logistics connected with closing schools and shifting students, teachers and staff to new buildings.
"I don't believe we can kick this down the can any longer," Prophet-Bullock said.
Continued delays, or even a no vote, could trigger the district being overseen by a hard control board, the interim Superintendent warned.
"That would make our relationship with the city even more murky," Prophet-Bullock said.
The board of education meets at 5:30 p.m. at McKinley High School.
The Buffalo Public Schools interim superintendent urges the School Board to vote on school closing plan Wednesday night
The Buffalo Public Schools interim superintendent urges the School Board to vote on school closing plan Wednesday night
