Letter to the Editor: Rev. Paulette Woods for BOE Stephon Wright

While I respect Mayor Sean Ryan’s comments, I respectfully disagree with the idea that a Board’s role is simply to support the Superintendent’s policies. The people elected us to represent them and to ensure our students receive the education, resources, and opportunities they deserve. Oversight and accountability are not interference; they are part of the job voters entrusted us to do.

I can’t speak for every Board member, but during my first six months in office I’ve listened to concerns from parents, teachers, administrators, staff, and community members. Many of the issues we’re facing existed long before I was elected.

I’ve also made an effort to bring people together. I invited my colleagues to lunch and dinner because I believe relationships matter. Unfortunately, there are Board members who simply don’t get along, and some who won’t even pick up the phone to have a conversation. When that happens, disagreements that could have been resolved privately often spill over into Board meetings.

Yes, the Board has one employee which is the Superintendent. We should support the Superintendent when it’s appropriate, but we also have a responsibility to ask tough questions, provide oversight, and hold the district accountable on behalf of the community.

Just as the Buffalo Board of Education cannot tell the Mayor how to govern the city or whether to raise taxes. No one should tell an independently elected Board how to fulfill its responsibility to the voters. Stability is important, but so are transparency, accountability, and putting students first. I believe we can have both.

I have personally reached out to Mayor Sean Ryan to request a meeting about how we can work together to move both our school district and our city forward, but I have not yet received a response. I remain hopeful that we can sit down together. In fact, I think it would be beneficial for the Mayor to meet with the entire Board. Buffalo cannot move forward without a thriving public school district. Our schools are the foundation of our neighborhoods, workforce, and the future of this city. We may not always agree, but collaboration is essential if we’re serious about improving outcomes for our students.

Lastly, I want to wish Board Member Cindi McEachon nothing but the best in her future endeavors. Thank you for your years of service, your dedication to this school district, and your commitment to the Buffalo community. I wish you continued success in whatever comes next.

Paulette Woods said, “Stephon M. Wright is a leader dedicated to the students, parents, committed to education of children and the Future of the City of Buffalo. He didn’t run for the Board of Education for self-advancement or use the Board of Education as a steppingstone to political office or 2-million-dollar contracts THEN RESIGN. Like Cindy Mecheon. HE WILL FINISH HIS TERM & WORK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND MAYOR FOR THE BETTERMENT OF BPS AND THE CITY OF BUFFALO. GOD BLESS NEW LEADERSHIP.”

*This is an opinion of Paulette Woods