Page 1 - RR-12-4-25

R VERR CK TIMES

Vol. 5 No. 38 Thursday, December 4, 2025 Covering the Northwest Corner of Buffalo

Many questions remain as BPS

closure committee continues work

By Amber Healy
few dozen people gathered in
Athe auditorium of the Buffalo
Academy for Visual and Perform-
ing Arts Monday to participate in
the first of three public meetings to
discuss the upcoming closure of two
schools before the 2026-2027
school year.
Dr. Sharon Brown, chief of Stu-
dent Support Services, set expecta-
tions at the top of the 90-minute
meeting: The members of the clo-
sure committee in the room, and
some members of the school board
Dr. Sharon Brown, chief of Student Support Services.
who could attend, were taking a
“listening posture,” intending to re-
cord and report the comments and tion will be made available on the affirmed by the superintendent,
questions raised by those gathered closure committee website, www. Bishop says.
buffaloschools.org/o/bps/page/scho “My understanding is that the
in the meeting and on Zoom.
The questions were many and, ol-closure-committee-updates. superintendent can overrule the
while some will be addressed on the Thursday is a key committee's decision,” he says. But
Buffalo Public School’s closure day in the process that would not stop or delay a deci-
committee website soon, Dr. Brown It’s likely the schools will be sion: “I assume that the timeline IT’S LOOKING A LOT LIKE
promised, it seemed many more re- determined, at least preliminarily, would remain the same. Enrolling CHRISTMAS: Neighbors gath-
mained. by Thursday afternoon, the next the impacted students and not disad- ered at the corner of Tonawan-
Nearly two dozen people, a time the closure committee is set to vantaging them and their families in da and Ontario streets for the
combination of parents, teachers, meet, confirms Harper Bishop, a any way has been a major point of annual Riverside Tree Lighting
closure committee members and at committee member appointed by conversation for the committee.” on Nov. 29. At 5:30 p.m.,
least two students, stepped up to the current Board of Education member Of the nearly 60 schools under North District Council Member,
two microphones and asked their Jennifer Mercozzi. Bishop was un- the governance of the Buffalo Public Joe Golombek Jr., lit the tree
questions, many repeating two criti- able to attend the meeting but told School district, none have been ex- which was decorated by resi-
cal themes: Which schools will be the RiverRock Times that, given the empted from consideration for clo- dents with the help of Erie
closed and when will the decision Dec. 17 deadline for action, it is sure, however, during Monday County Legislator Michael Koo-
be announced? likely the committee will make its night’s meeting, it was said that no shoian. As the parade began,
Dr. Brown did provide some recommendation to the board and decisions have been made. who should appear but Santa
insight on those items, to the best of superintendent by the end of its A long list to consider and Mrs. Claus. Together with
her ability given that the committee weekly meeting on Dec. 4. Members of the closure commit- the Erkert family puppeteers,
did not meet last week due to the That will quickly set other tee, including Katrinna Martin-Bor-
they led a Christmas Parade Santa chats with Charlotte.
Thanksgiving holiday but is slated wheels in motion: Once the two deaux (Central District), Fred Yellen
to meet this Thursday, Dec. 11: schools are selected, public meet- (North District) and Edward Speidel down Ontario Street with folks
“The goal is to notify the schools (to ings will be announced for those (Park District), who attended Mon- waving their flashing light
be closed) before the Dec. 17 board two schools to allow the communi- day’s meeting, said they’re all com- wands all the way to St.
meeting,” she said. “We hope that ty, parents, teachers and others to mitted to putting what’s best for Mark’s meeting hall where they
the school closure committee will share their thoughts and concerns. students first when making their de- found refreshments and sur-
make their recommendations hope- The school board is expected to take cisions. prises. Organizers expressed
fully this week and our goal is to action to confirm the two schools to Some questioned the committee their thanks to Councilmember
meet with those two schools.” be closed during the Dec. 17 regular member’s credentials and their qual- Golombek for his help and to
There will be another public meeting, but the agenda for that ifications for being charged with Ellicott Development for the
meeting with those two schools, the meeting will not be made public making such a big decision, pointing lighted tree, as well as the
ones selected to be closed, “and it until Monday, Dec. 15. out that some might not have chil- RiverRock Times for getting the
would have to happen before Dec. There is, however, a small dren in BPS at all. word out, New Light Christian
17,” Dr. Brown added, adding that chance that the two schools selected “This committee was formed by Church Singers, The "Arose for
the dates are “to be determined” as by the committee might not be those people that took our name and put You" Puppets, and the Redis-
of Monday night but more informa- our name on the committee,” said
cover Riverside Group for host-
Continued on page 4 ing the event.
Council Member Golombek and
Legislator Kooshoian celebrat-
ed with residents.

Breakfast with
Santa is Dec. 6

Breakfast with Santa – a chil-
dren's holiday party that features a
hot breakfast, hot cocoa bar, treats,
Santa Claus, and gifts for families
in the underserved areas of River-
THE 33 & ME: The New York State Department of Transporta- side & Black Rock is set for Satur-
tion hosted the first in a series of listening sessions on the Queen day, Dec. 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. At
City Forward project, the new name for the much-maligned Town Boys & Girls Club, 54 River-
renovation of the Kensington Expressway. Community members dale Ave.
were invited to give their opinions, thoughts and priorities on a In a coordinated effort, the Riv-
number of targeted questions, including how they use Route 33, er Rock Community Coalition
where they travel along it and where their destination is when (RRCC), the Riverside Business
Association (RBA) and the Com-
they drive on it, in addition to quality of life questions. DOT
munity Police Officers (CPO) of
staffers were stationed at each poster to talk with community
the Buffalo Police Departments
members, but no formal presentations were given at this time.
(BPD) Delta District provide this
Additional public meetings will be scheduled into early 2026 at
event for all school aged children in
locations throughout the area.
Riverside-Black Rock.