When Powerful Interests Compete... Who Will Stand For The Children?
by Dr. Paulette Woods
THE BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT has been front page news recently. BPS’ primary responsibility is the education of our children. The focus should be on reading, writing and arith metic, providing skills for the children who are the future of our community and nation. But all I have seen in the news lately is opinions from powerful competing interests. I see the Buffalo Teacher’s Federation (BTF), who are once again in negotiations for contract raises with the Buffalo Public Schools, fighting to control the BOE, which must approve the Buffalo Teacher’s Federation contract.
The last time the teacher’s contract was settled, the Buffalo Public Schools had just won a 10-year battle with New York State for a 70 million dollar increase in Foundation Aid revenues, which went to increase salaries and benefits for the teacher’s contract. Buffalo teachers are now the highest paid in Western New York with lifetime retiree’s health benefits included in their package.
This is a major contributing factor to the$60-million-dollar deficit in the Buffalo Public Schools annual budget. Follow the money! What about children’s education? Did the children’s ability to read or write increase? No! In fact, 58% of Buffalo Public Schools are now in receivership and/or titled Schools in need of improvement! Where is the commensurate benefit to the children?
THE BUFFALO SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS AN INDEPEN TANTLY ELECTED NON-PARTISON BOARD. THERE ARE NO REPUB LICAN CHILDREN, DEMOCRATIC OR LIBERAL CHILDREN,THERE IS ONLY OUR BELOVED CHILDREN IN NEED OF SKILLS TO BUILD, SERVE AND LEAD THIS NATION. “WE’VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO SAVE THE CHILDREN” THAT IS THE GUIDING POLICY OF THE BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION.
In the news are various politicians who are led loudly by the Mayor of Buffalo. The Mayor of a city on life support, with no fund balance; a city which depends on the Buffalo Public School system to pay its bills for months for the City of Buffalo’s salaries, utilities, etc. That fund balance was painfully built from years of good management and cutbacks in Buffalo Public Schools expenses (including layoffs), and strategic research for increases in revenues.
Should a bankrupt City of Buffalo be attempting to take over and control the “children’s money? Just to pay their bills. This is an education system, not an employment system. The only way Buffalo Public schools should save the city is to provide an educated workforce with new young leaders to improve manage ment systems. MY QUESTION IS: WHEN POWERFUL INTER ESTS COMPETE -WHO WILL STAND FOR THE CHILDREN?
Difficult decisions lie ahead: Closing of up to (4) four schools. The Buffalo Public Schools are rightsizing, but the City of Buffalo has added four new Deputy Mayors at a cost of approximately 1 million dollars when fringe benefits are included. It is the ability to ask the tough questions that shows true leaders.
When Board of Education members asked a tough question: Why was the Superintendent creating a “new division with three new jobs, while (57) fifty-seven positions serving the children were being cut in the 2026 Buffalo Public School budget? The Board was “NOT” targeting anyone. It was good management!
Questioning both additions to and reductions in expenditures and revenues is part of the Board of Education’s primary legal responsibility in passing a budget for BPS operations. The Superintendent was asked to justify the new positions, especially since he had cut several positions from the nationally recognized Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Initiative program. The increases and the decreases in the 2026 Budget were questioned and justified if possible.
Difficult decisions lie ahead for Buffalo Public Schools: Restructuring services to Autistic children, service to disabled children, and providing student with discipline problems and under accredited students a way to graduate. The former Superintendent has set directions for institutional improvement in these areas. He had worked with the commu nity and had their support. Implementing and providing excellent services to children is the Board of Education specific responsibility and direction.
The Buffalo Board of Education has excellent independently elected district representatives: Two law school graduates, the President of the Board has a PhD, several have master’s degrees in educational leader ship, but most of all “They put children first. There is “No” competing interest! Putting children and families first by providing excel lent education for “All” is the goal.
It should be noted that as of January for the first time, the Board of Education is being led by a majority of new young leaders including two African American males. Three were newly elected this year 2026, and three were newly elected last year 2026. Also, note that the Council of Great Cit Schools has set a path for Board Excellence, guidance and develop ment with a focus on “Student Achievement”. A new and capable Superintendent Dr. Ebony Bullock has been chosen, with experience in data and account ability!
The Board of Educa tion has conscientiously followed NYS Educa tion law in expeditiously addressing the personnel challenges that have been trust in their path with dignity, coordina tion and discussion with the Commissioner of Education. Buffalo Public school has set a path t march forward to deliver excellent education for “All” of our children. There is no competing interest for the majority of Board of Education members. The community’s parents support the focus on improving student achievement. This is their vision! Let’s keep moving forward!