Key Issues for Buffalo’s School Board Election: Questions That Matter For Our Students
These questions are designed for the entire membership to consider for the improvement of all students.
The general election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2025. It will include candidates for the Buffalo Board of Education. The following questions are not only for those running for the school board, but also for those who are currently on the Board of Education.
What are the three most important issues facing the Buffalo Public schools?
Do you think that parents should have their students opt-out of State Tests. Why or why not?
What alternatives would you suggest to replace these tests?
In your view, what is culturally relevant teaching?
The African Infusion Program was a program that was supposed to change the curriculum so that it reflected the achievements of African Americans. The goal of the program was to produce lesson plans, teacher training, and materials for classroom teachers to infuse this history throughout the curriculum. Do you think the program should be revived? If so, how? If not, why? (I would add here that it was to serve as a model for other cultural groups but was never truly implemented across the curriculum.)
During the past year and most recently there have been a number of shootings and murders in several of our communities in Buffalo. Our students have lost close family members as a result. What services would you suggest in our schools to help these students adjust after such tragedies?
Most of our teachers are from suburban environments. Should there be special training for these teachers to help them understand the culture and learning styles of students of color?
We have several parent groups working to engage parents, however, there is still a sizeable number of parents who are not informed or involved in the education of their children. What strategies would you suggest to increase the number of parents participating in the schools?
How can we increase student motivation?
Many of the vocational education programs have been eliminated over the years. However, recognizing the effort to replace some of them, what ideas do you have to increase vocational education in schools?
Which of the following authors are you familiar with? These authors have written extensively on how to improve education in Urban Schools: Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Dr. Rick Perry, Gloria Ladson-Billings, Janice E. Hale-Benson, Jonathan Kozol? Identify one and give one or two sentences about their beliefs.
Please Note: Culturally Relevant Teaching is for teachers to be able to understand the culture and learning style of students from various backgrounds. It involves teachers understanding the communities from where these students come from and believing that all students can learn regardless of background. Reference: The Dream-Keepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children written by Gloria Ladson-Billings.