Another Parent Public Meeting Set To Talk About Buffalo Schools Closure Plan

After raised voices, tons of emotions, and even some political grandstanding, members of the Buffalo Public Schools Elected Board decided at their regularly scheduled October meeting to postpone voting on the current school closure plan and host at least one more public meeting for parents and the community to further discuss what should happen with New York's second-largest public school system.

The third public meeting, hosted by the school's interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony E. Prophet-Bullock, drew more than 100 people from around Buffalo. The last meeting drew members of the general public, students from impacted schools, staff, and other elected officials, and it was filled with comments from people who opposed the plan but also recognized that something must be done to stabilize the school system.

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As it stands right now, even though the Buffalo Public Schools spends around $1.2 billion every year, it has been running a financial deficit the last few years, which they've had to use the city's savings account to balance the budget. If things continue as they have been, soon the schools won't have enough money to pay their bills.

If the current closure plan was approved as is, the city would see several schools combine into new buildings, while other schools would shut their doors altogether, and those students would have to apply or transfer to new schools or programs. That plan would also save around $20 million a year in operating costs, which would help close the school's budget deficit.

With Buffalo's total student population below 30,000, something needs to be done; it just seems like more discussion is needed.

In order to accomplish that, a fourth public meeting, dubbed a Community Listening Session, is set for Monday, October 26th at West Hertel Academy, 489 Hertel Ave at the corner of Military Road. The meeting, which is set to start at 5:30 pm., will be another chance for people to give more feedback and offer additional opinions on what should be done.

However, time is running out as parents and the schools need to make fast choices about where kids are going for the next school year, which will be here before you know it.