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Former BOCES leader in line to be interim Buffalo schools superintendent

Photo from Erie 1 BOCES Website

Former Erie 1 BOCES superintendent Donald Ogilvie could become the next interim superintendent of the Buffalo Public School District.

Buffalo School Board president James Sampson alerted his colleagues in an e-mail Sunday that Ogilvie's credentials would be presented at this Wednesday's board meeting. 

Ogilivie recently retired after serving 17 years as BOCES superintendent.

School board member Barbara Seals Nevergoldis blasting Sampson for not being open and transparent about the potential hiring of Ogilive.

"There has been no presentation to the board of this candidacy until an email came out yesterday that there was going to be a presentation the board on Wednesday," said Seals Nevergold Monday. 

"As the president, he does not have the authority to negotiate with Mr.Ogilvie or anyone else."

Seals Nevergold was the former board president, but was not re-elected at the July 1 reorganization meeting. Sampson was elected board president with the support of the new majority.

Seals Nevergold said it does not appear board members will have an opportunity to interview Ogilvie. She says she is convinced that Sampson has lined up the needed five votes of the new board majority to select Ogilvie.

The Buffalo News reports Ogilvie could earn the same $217,500 salary that former schools superintendent Pamela Brown earned. 

"It is not up to the board president to set the salary, it's up to the board," said Seals Nevergold.

Seals Nevergold tells WBFO she would like to hire an interim superintendent who had experience in an urban district and success at turning around a troubled district.

"I don't think Mr. Ogilvie has had either of those experiences," noted Seals Nevergold.

WBFO News reached Buffalo Teachers Federation president Phil Rumore who responded favorably to working with Ogilvie if he is selected to serve.  But Rumore did admit the city district could be a learning curve for Ogilive.

"Don is a good man, but he doesn't't really know the inner workings of the Buffalo Public Schools," said Rumore. "It's ashamed that they couldn't find someone in-house that's already in the district."

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