The Buffalo Board of Education has sworn in Roscoe Henderson III as its new North District representative, filling the seat left vacant by Cindi McEachon’s resignation last month. This appointment comes amid significant turmoil within the district, including the recent resignation of Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga and allegations against a sitting board member.
The Buffalo Board of Education is a nonpartisan body composed of independently elected officials. Their responsibility is to exercise their independent judgment while complying with New york state law and acting in the best interests of the students and families they serve.
Controversial Appointment Amid Leadership Turmoil
Acting on concerns raised by Buffalo Mayor sean ryan and several state legislators, the New York State Education Department authorized the Buffalo School Board to maintain a vacant position. This authorization allowed the district to focus on resolving serious allegations against its former superintendent and a sitting board member. However, on Monday, the Buffalo Board of Education voted to fill the vacant North District seat with Roscoe Henderson III, a retired Buffalo police officer.
The vote to appoint Henderson III was passed by five members of the board. Three board members—Lawrence Scott, Erik Bohen, and Adrianna Zullich—abstained from voting. Scott’s abstention was influenced by a letter sent to the board by New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa. This letter gave the board leeway to focus on the significant turmoil in Buffalo Public Schools first.
Allegations and Resignations
Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga resigned abruptly earlier this month after only a year on the job. It was later revealed that he was named in a notice of claim, along with School Board member Muki Hawkins, alleging sexual harassment of a fellow district official. Hawkins has denied wrongdoing and stated he will not resign despite calls to do so. He was among the board members who voted to fill the vacancy left by Cindi McEachon’s resignation, who cited dysfunction and lack of transparency in the district as reasons for her departure.
State Intervention and Public Concerns
Commissioner Rosa’s letter to Board President Kathy Evans Brown was not an order but an advisement and authorization. It allowed the Buffalo School Board to bypass standard state Education Law due to extreme circumstances. Evans Brown stated that she spoke with Rosa to better understand the letter before proceeding with the appointment process. She emphasized that the board acted in compliance with state law and in the best interests of the students and families they serve.
Assemblymembers Pat Burke and Jon Rivera, along with State Senator April Baskin, have joined Mayor Ryan in requesting state intervention amid the leadership issues in Buffalo Public Schools. Burke highlighted the constitutional responsibility and statutory authority of the State Education Department to ensure that school districts fulfill their obligations to students, taxpayers, and the public.
The State Board of Regents and Education Department are not responsible for the day-to-day operations of public school districts. However, they can put persistently failing schools into a state receivership program. Several individual Buffalo Public Schools are already in this program, which provides targeted technical and administrative support to help schools get back on track.
