Buffalo councilmember proposes using vacant school buildings for year-round youth programs; item tabled

Council Member Everard introduced a resolution Sept. 23 asking the Buffalo City Committee on Education to pursue use of underutilized Buffalo Public Schools buildings as year‑round sites for youth programming and family wraparound services.

The proposal drew support from school district staff and several community organizations during a committee meeting in which speakers described transportation barriers, the need for consistent space, and the challenge of sustaining programs without a stable facility.

Doctor K, a Buffalo Public Schools representative, told the committee the district “definitely supports your proposal and is really interested in collaborating and working, closely with you to develop it,” and suggested forming a work group with relevant partners when timing is right.

Several community leaders said a single, stable site would reduce the logistics burden of moving equipment and people between temporary locations. “The benefit of having everything in one space would be amazing for the youth and the families,” Tranisha Brown, CEO and founder of A Way Out (Queensland training and mentoring program), said in public comment. Dr. Beverly David Lewis, representing the Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Program, described decades of running programs from a van and said a permanent home would help the group build sustainable budgets.

Wilbur (Will) Green, assistant dean for community relations at the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education, described Brainy Bulls, a virtual tutoring and mentoring program that will begin sessions Oct. 8 and operates Tuesdays through Thursdays from about 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. He said the program uses vetted UB students as tutors and can be a partner if a physical space is identified.

Ashley Watson, executive director of Real Talk Bridges, urged cross‑sector coordination and greater involvement of young people in planning. “We don't work together in this community,” Watson said, arguing that school, church, government and corporate systems must align to sustain youth services.

Members of the committee and other councilmembers discussed funding and logistics. Councilman White noted heating, security and rent costs as barriers and confirmed that some community groups reported they currently have no funding available to cover those operating costs. Councilman Wyatt and others suggested proceeds from any school building sales or partnerships with developers or utilities could be considered as part of a broader financing strategy, but no specific funding source was approved at the meeting.

The committee also heard that Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent’s 100‑day entry plan includes four town halls coming in the weeks ahead; Doctor K encouraged councilmembers to attend and noted the superintendent is available for follow‑up meetings.

After public testimony and committee discussion, a motion to table consideration of the proposal was made and seconded; the transcript records the motion and second but does not include a roll‑call vote or tally. The item was left on the table for future action.

Votes at a glance: Motion to table discussion of the resolution to use an existing Buffalo Public Schools building for year‑round youth programming — motion seconded; outcome: tabled (no roll‑call vote recorded in transcript).