The Buffalo school district, serving 30,000 students finds itself at the center of a maelstrom of controversies. State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa is scheduled to visit the district tomorrow, sparking speculation about potential state intervention. The visit comes on the heels of Superintendent Pascal Mubenga’s abrupt resignation earlier this month, following workplace sexual harassment and intimidation complaints.
The district’s woes are multifaceted, with issues ranging from board dysfunction to a $80 million structural budget deficit. The recent appointment of Roscoe Henderson III to fill a vacant board seat, despite calls to delay the process, has further exacerbated tensions. Vice President Adrianna Zullich has joined critics of Board President Kathy Evans-Brown’s leadership, highlighting the board’s internal strife.
Controversies Plaguing the Buffalo School District
The district has been rocked by several high-profile controversies in recent months. The sexual harassment complaints against Central District Board Member Muki Hawkins and former Superintendent Pascal Mubenga have led to an ongoing investigation by law firm Hodgson Russ. Hawkins has refused to resign, continuing to frequent district offices, which has raised concerns among complainants.
The handling of these complaints by Board President Kathy Evans-Brown has also come under fire. North District Board Member Cindi mceachon resigned last month, citing lack of transparency and accountability. McEachon and other board minority members alleged that Evans-Brown withheld the complaint from them and violated board policy by selecting Hodgson Russ to conduct the investigation in a closed-door meeting.
The Fiscal Crisis and State Intervention
The district is grappling with a $80 million structural budget deficit which threatens to deplete its once-healthy reserves. This fiscal crisis could also impact the City of Buffalo’s financial position, as the city often relies on the school district’s reserves during cash flow shortages. Last December, a panel appointed by the school board recommended closing two schools to address the deficit, but community opposition led to the postponement of any closures.
In May, the district adopted a $1.4 billion budget for the 2026-2027 school year which included the elimination of 51 full-time positions in the central office. Thirty-six of those job titles were already vacant, highlighting the district’s ongoing challenges.
State intervention could take the form of a monitor appointed by the education commissioner. Five school districts in the state currently have monitors, who serve as ex officio members of the school boards they oversee. These monitors have a range of powers, including the ability to approve or disapprove the appointment of a superintendent and to veto board resolutions that contravene the district’s academic and financial improvement strategies.
Calls for State Intervention
Assembly Member Pat Burke chair of the Committee on Cities, sent a letter to Rosa last week, asking her to appoint a special advisor to the superintendent. The special advisor would oversee the search for and selection of a new superintendent, create a program of mandatory governance workshops for school board members, and issue reports evaluating the district’s governance and progress toward stability.
The appointment of a special advisor would represent a less drastic intervention than the installation of a monitor with veto power over board actions. However, Burke emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that too much state money is being spent to allow these schools to fail. The Buffalo News editorial board echoed Burke’s call for state intervention, noting that the board’s recent appointment of Henderson had further eroded public confidence in its ability to govern effectively.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has also weighed in on the matter, describing the misconduct allegations against Hawkins and Mubenga as egregious and in need of investigation. She noted that state oversight would require approval by the state Legislature, emphasizing the need for full transparency and the public’s right to know what is happening.
