Commentary

Labor View: The Fight for Public Education in Buffalo

by / Apr. 29, 2016 7am EST

Free K-12 public education for all children is a cornerstone of our civil society. In spite of some serious concerns, and despite the voices calling for its demise, public education remains at the center of a democratic system.

What are the features of this proposition? A democratic society must provide certain guarantees that give real meaning to the phrase, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These inalienable rights are elaborated in the Declaration of Independence, and codified in the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Over the 240 years since 1776, these rights have been extended many times. One such right is that of universal public education. Skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, science, and many others have been delivered as a responsibility of civil society. Not only does our society owe the individual citizens these skills, but in doing so it encourages discourse that helps to solve basic problems.

Unfortunately, for many K-12 school districts this responsibility is either under attack or simply not available as it once was. One such district is the Buffalo Public Schools. The school district here in our city is very diverse. Over 70% of the students within the district are identified as minority students. Many of these children are from countries other than the United States, speaking over 40 languages. Currently, there are 13 charter schools operating inside the district parameters. Over the past 20 years, many essential programs have been cut, schools have been closed and the overall student population has decreased.

The reasons for this situation is complex, and do not lend themselves to simple or easy solutions. There is a need for serious and thoughtful analysis and discussion of this state of affairs. Instead of healthy discourse and real solutions, for the past 4 years we have had civil war inside the School Board. The leader of the “majority” is a downtown building developer. He is an enemy of public education. He has purchased closed school buildings, rehabbed them and then leased them back to charter school operations. In doing so, he has expanded his asset base as a developer; of this there is little question. On the surface, this appears to be a serious conflict of interest as a member of a public school board. Furthermore, he has exhibited complete disdain for the “minority” faction labeling them as a “sisterhood.” To make matters worse, he came to public prominence through using his email to forward extremely racist cartoons about President Barack Obama. In this way, he combines two loathsome practices: extreme greed covered with racial stereotyping.

This approach has worsened relations on the board and led to real gridlock. The faction he heads has not proposed measures that will solve problems in the Buffalo schools. Instead, he has made any possible agreements on real reform impossible to achieve.

The election on May 3 must be viewed in light of the fight vs. the “majority” faction. Let us unite to elect Jen Mecozzi in the West District, Hope Jay in the North District, Austin Harig in the Park District, Sharon Belton Cottman in the Ferry District, Paulette Woods in the Central District, and Theresa Harris Tigg in the East District. These concerned citizens are candidates who will seek to solve the problems in the Buffalo Public School District and will fight to maintain public education as a precious right of this society.


Richard Lipsitz is president of the WNYALF, AFL-CIO.

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