Buffalo board adopts 2024–25 superintendent goals, authorizes commissary lease talks and approves investigator; evaluation of superintendent passes unanimously

The Buffalo City School District Board of Education on Sept. 18 unanimously approved a slate of formal actions that advance the districtsuperintendentevaluation and firm up plans for a new central food commissary.

The board voted to adopt four academic goals that will serve as the academic progress measures for the superintendentevaluation in 2024–25. The goals target literacy, numeracy, early Regents performance and credit accumulation for cohorts entering high school. Among the specific targets presented by administration were raising economically disadvantaged grade‑3 ELA proficiency from a 17.1 percent baseline by roughly 2.2 percentage points and interim I‑Ready and DIBELS benchmarks (for example, DIBELS from 40 percent to 45 percent). The numeracy goal calls for increasing grade‑6 proficiency from 23.5 percent to 26 percent with interim I‑Ready gains; high‑school goals include raising the percent of first‑year Regents passers modestly and increasing the share of students meeting science lab‑minute eligibility.

"We didn't want to make anything up. These are trending data that are true for our students in this district for 24–25," administration told the board when presenting interim benchmarks. Board members emphasized that meeting the targets will require community, family and teacher partnership.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt superintendent academic goals for 2024–25: approved unanimously (roll call recorded by the board). - Approve District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP)/SCEP/RCP (as amended): approved unanimously. - Authorize superintendent to negotiate lease and amended developer agreement with Maguire Development Company for a new central commissary at 1016/1044 East Delavan, and pursue a community benefits agreement and building aid lease reimbursement: approved unanimously. - Authorize hiring of Linwood Robert Esquard as independent investigator in an appeal under District Regulation 6,121 at $250/hour: approved unanimously. - Accept annual evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Tanya Williams Knight (2023–24), rated effective/highly effective: approved unanimously.

Commissary decision and community benefits

The board also moved forward a major facilities decision on the district's central food commissary. After staff reported that an outright purchase was not viable within the districtlegal constraints and timeline, the resolution authorizes the superintendent to negotiate a lease with Maguire Development Company for property at 1016 and 1044 East Delavan. The resolution requires critical milestones in any developer agreement, including site control/financing, environmental clearances, guaranteed maximum price and a construction oversight and reporting structure. The district will pursue building aid lease reimbursement from the New York State Education Department (the resolution cites up to 98% lease reimbursement) and seek a community benefits agreement mandating local hire, MWBE participation and apprenticeship opportunities where feasible.

Board members discussed the need for a commissary construction advisory committee and regular updates to the board. Parent and community speakers had urged a robust community benefits agreement during the public comment period, and board members said those concerns were reflected in the final motion.

Investigator hire and appeal process

The board authorized an independent investigator for an appeal filed under the district's discrimination and harassment complaint procedure (District Regulation 6,121). The resolution names Linwood Robert Esquard to conduct an impartial investigation and sets a rate of $250 per hour for services.

Superintendent evaluation

After an executive session to discuss employment and evaluation matters, the board moved to accept the annual evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Tanya Williams Knight for 2023–24. The board announced the evaluation passed unanimously and that all areas were rated "effective" or "highly effective." A summary of the evaluation is available on the district website, the board said.

What happens next

Administration said staff will begin implementation steps tied to the adopted goals and will report progress to the board. The superintendent will also provide regular updates on commissary lease negotiations and on the investigator's work as required.

(Reporting note: the board recorded roll‑call votes for the motions above and indicated unanimous passage on the listed items.)