After much controversy over the selection of a new Buffalo schools superintendent School Board Member Larry Quinn says it is time to move forward.
Quinn tells WBFO News he's calling on the board to support a resolution to allow the board to conduct a search.
"That we now make it formal. That we do it on the board level. That the board do the search. That we receive applications and select somebody by the beginning of June," said Quinn. "We were elected to do this job, so I think we should all do it -- all nine of us."
Last week Emerson Principal James Weimer backed off of becoming the board's majority choice as the next leader. He faced personal attacks after word surfaced that his wife conducted legal work for board member Carl Paladino.
WBFO News asked Quinn if it would be a national search. "As far as I'm concerned it can include anybody," noted Quinn.
The Board's minority was outraged for being left out of the selection process.
Quinn is expected to introduce his resolution at the next board meeting. Interim Schools Superintendent Don Ogilivie will be leaving at the end of June.
Board Member Jay McCarthy agrees with Quinn. McCarthy said with the interim leader leaving at the end of June there is a great deal of 'urgency'.
"Once again this will happen very quickly and at the end of the day it will happen and we will move on," said McCarthy.
Weimer pulled out of a public speaking appearance Wednesday at the downtown Library for the Buffalo Talks Speaker Series. Weimer notified organizers that he felt it would have been inappropriate for him to make a public appearance at this time, given the controversy surrounding the district.
"I think that whole attack on his personal life and his competency -- I think weighed very heavy on him and was such an insult," said McCarthy
WBFO also asked McCarthy about a national search. He said he would be 'willing to consider anybody'.