The leader of the Buffalo School District says an agreement has been reached with two district employee unions, making the district eligible for $10-million in federal education funding.
Districts across the state received a stern warning this week from state Education Commissioner John King, who said millions of dollars in education funding are in jeopardy because many districts are not meeting the requirements. The deadline is this Saturday.
But interim Buffalo Schools Superintendent Amber Dixon announced at Wednesday night's board meeting her administration has completed a plan to evaluate teachers and principals at schools benefiting from the funds.
Dixon told WBFO News the funding was never at risk.
"We really weren't aware of a December 31 deadline until a phone call a couple of weeks ago," said Dixon.
Dixon said a memorandum of understanding was agreed to by the Buffalo Teachers Federation and the Buffalo Council of School Administrators, which was then emailed to Albany.
Dixon said its clear commissioner King feels critical national reform agenda items be put in placed despite the state's tough Taylor law.
"But you know as the big five superintendents often have to do, we realize that that working with our bargaining units it is up to use to come to the agreement that satisfies the state education department," said Dixon.