An effort to turn around a troubled Buffalo School District, the new school board majority is poised to select a new interim leader Wednesday night. The board is expected to select former Erie 1-BOCES superintendent Don Ogilvie to serve as interim schools superintendent. In this Focus on Education report, WBFO's Eileen Buckley has reaction from one of the parent organizations seeking change.
"Feel good about it," said Sam Radford, president of the District Parent Coordinating Council. That was his reaction to Ogilvie's credentials.
Radford said his organization already held a "very encouraging meeting" with Ogilvie.
"Clearly wants to collaborate with parents and talk about how we partner to do what's in the best interest of all children," said Radford.
Radford tells WBFO News Ogilvie and the new school board majority share the vision parents are seeking for their children. The new majority issued a vision statement to tackle failing schools. It offers a range of options including expanding opportunities in high performing charter schools and criteria based schools.
"Where ever there are seats in good standing to make sure they comply with the law and to make sure parents are getting their children into seats where they can get a quality education which is something we have been fighting for the last four or five years," said Radford.
Jason Zwara is with Buffalo ReformEd.Zwara tells WBFO he believes Ogilvie's resume speaks for itself and he's the "logical choice" to lead the district.
"He's just a real problem solver," noted Zwara. "He knows the many, many different options that can be available and how we can make those available to students. He's been a teacher, a principal, a superintendent of districts across Western New York. I think he just brings a wealth of experience and a wealth of connections to the position."
Ogilvie is being praised for his relationship with the state Education Department. He served as part of the Joint Intervention Team that examined the troubled city schools. He even issued a highly critical, six-page letter back in 2010 that was initially withheld by former schools superintended James Williams until state Ed asked for it to be released.
