By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Six Buffalo schools are targeted for closing next year to help close a $42 million budget deficit.
Superintendent Marion Canedo told the Board of Education Wednesday night some of the schools would be closed permanently or used temporarily while other schools are being renovated. At least two could be reopened after their own renovations.
The six schools are:
Riverside Academy, School 60, 238 Ontario Street
Indian Park Academy, School 70, 76 Buffum Street
Harbor Heights Elementary, School 4, 425 South Park Avenue
Buffalo Vocational Technical Center, 820 Northampton Street
Emerson Vocational High School, 1405 Sycamore Street
Best Street annex of the Science Magnet School, 775 Best Street
The School Board will hold three public meetings next month before a final decision is made on the closings.
Emerson High School would be rebuilt and reopened as a middle school in 2004. But its culinary arts program on Chippewa Street would continue.
Canedo said she's hopeful that parents, students and teachers will find these proposed changes "reasonable and acceptable."