The Resignation of Dr. Mubenga as Superintendent of Buffalo Schools: Part 1

The shocking news of the resignation of Dr. Pascal Mubenga as Superintendent of Buffalo schools on Monday, July 13, 2026, has left many people in a state of confusion. The Buffalo Board of Education accepted Dr. Mubenga’s resignation at the Board meeting held on Monday evening. Dr. Mubenga was just into 11 months of a 4-year term. Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock has been selected as interim Superintendent. Dr. Mubenga has expressed enthusiasm at a news conference as he looked forward to a new year with plans to improve the achievements of students despite the challenges that he faced.

Dr. Mubenga came to Buffalo with much fanfare. He has served as an educator with 25 years of experience including as a math teacher, principal, and assistant principal. He had substantial experience in developing programs before accepting positions at the North Carolina Department of Education. As Superintendent of the Durham Public schools; he served 30,000 students. Dr. Mubenga is a native of the Congo in Africa. In my view this brings a lot of culture and history to this position. Since the district has been on a course of infusing multicultural education into the curriculum, which can be a positive thing.

This resignation brings a lot of confusion to the school system which is already in a difficult situation with budgets cuts, internal disorder, suspension rates, low achievement rates in reading and math, and with the ongoing rates of student violence and busing issues, dropout rates of some students. AI and technology need to be advanced throughout the district, and career education is needed with more parental involvement. This issue can only add to the problems.

We need someone in leadership with an imagination and problem solving skills, With the recent student violence on July 4th we need the whole community involved. The next article will take a closer look at the history of superintendents in the Buffalo public schools. their leadership skills, salaries and impact on the education of our students. It will also answer the question: What are the top leadership skills of a good leader of an urban school district?