The Buffalo school board gave Superintendent Pamela Brown a good grade for her first year, but the evaluation was not released to the public. The evaluation is governed by clauses in her personal contract with the board, from her salary and possible increases to a pension supplement because she isn't a member of the state pension system.
With the only 'no' vote from retiring board member Lou Petrucci, the evaluation prepared in a series of closed meetings was approved.
What her grades are and what was reviewed wasn't released and General Counsel Chris Putrino says reporters wanting to see it will have to file a freedom-of-information law request.
Board member John Licata says the evaluation should be released.
"That would be my suggestion, my vote. Instead of requesting news organization to FOIL a request, proactively release it, because there's nothing in there that we think is negative," Licata says. "We want to provide it to the news, we just don't want to be in violation of somebody's contract."
Brown says the review is helpful.
"I have an evaluation that will inform what I will do to make sure that I continue to address the needs of the district. And I had the opportunity to get feedback from the board which will be very helpful to me as we move forward," Brown says.
The board asked Putrino to read the evaluation and Brown's contract to make sure nothing is released, which is barred by the contract.
Carl Paladino says the board rushed the approval so it wouldn't come before the new board, which takes office on Monday and includes the developer and former Republican gubernatorial candidate.
