The contract for the newly appointed Buffalo Schools superintendent has been signed. Last week the Buffalo Board of Education approved a four-year contract for the hiring of Dr. Kriner Cash. Special Assistant to the Superintendent for Public Relations Elena Cala confirmed that the contract was officially signed Tuesday morning.
"It's official," stated Cala in an email to WBFO's Eileen Buckley. "He did attend Ready Freddy at [School] 18 yesterday and gave the opening at the leadership meeting with principals today."
On Wednesday, Cash will preside over his first school board meeting.
Cash's contract is for $275,000 a year. It makes him the highest paid school leader of any major urban district in the state.
The District issued a news release on Cash's first official day:
"In speaking with administrators, Dr. Cash pointed to the importance of releasing the potential in each child. He encouraged them to set their own high goals and standards for student achievement, to be caring, and to use data as a powerful tool in intervention and guidance.
A lifelong change agent and advocate for high quality education for all children, Dr. Cash comes to Buffalo, NY, with over 20 years of executive leadership experience in education, and successful outcomes for children as past superintendent in Memphis, Tennessee; and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. He holds New York State School District Leader certification.
Dr. Cash comes to the Buffalo Public Schools at a pivotal time, when 25 schools have been placed into State Receivership, and the District works to negotiate a new contract with the Buffalo Teachers Union.
He acknowledges the complex issues faced by the District and offers, “Where there are great challenges, there are even greater opportunities.” Having spent the last few weeks in Buffalo, touring neighborhoods and speaking with people, Dr. Cash says that he recognizes the renaissance that is taking place in the City of Buffalo.
“Buffalo is on its way to being fully restored as a City of Choice,” Dr. Cash said, “and these children that we help now will fuel the human capital pipeline and economic growth for Buffalo well into the future.”