Meet the candidates

The field running in the May 3 Buffalo Board of Education election


Paladino did not complete the survey.

Candidates on key issues

Candidate There should be more charter schools in Buffalo. Should the district create a City Honors II? The city should contribute more money to district schools. The District Parent Coordinating Council should be the only board-sanctioned parent group. The state receivership law has the potential to improve Buffalo schools. State standardized tests should be used for teacher evaluations and deciding receivership schools.
Belton-Cottman No Yes Yes No Yes No
Elliott Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Harig No No Yes No No No
Harris-Tigg No No Yes No No No
Jay No Yes Yes No No No
McCarthy Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
McIntyre Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mecozzi No No Yes No No No
Russell Yes Yes Yes No No No
Sampson No Yes No No Yes Yes
Woods Yes Yes Yes No Yes No

Sharon M. Belton-Cottman

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: Over 30 years.

Current occupation: Consultant for nine months.

Education: Canisius College and undergraduate degree at Medaille College.

Prior runs for elected office: Unsuccessfully ran for Masten District Common Council seat in 2015.

Schools children have attended: None.

Notable supporters include: Citizen Action, Working Families Party, Buffalo Teachers Federation

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Additional bus aides
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. I feel that the Boy's Town model should be used in Buffalo at our Alternative School #4. This model has had great success in many cities. Its focus is the education of the student population who cannot fit or adjust in a traditional school environment. It provides life skills with major concerns in behavioral modification and academic success.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. 1) Elimination of cosmetic rider. 2) Longer school day. 3) Retirements limited to the end of the school year.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by one to two weeks (for a total of 185 to 190 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Good.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. Superintendent Cash has exhibited a good grasp on the educational climate and political culture of this city. This is his strength, along with his experience in managing urban school districts, i.e using his political savvy in the hiring of key positions within his cabinet. This action has also caused a weakness in the district as staff learn their roles and positions. This is concerning because there is an immediate need in this struggling district to have qualified experienced staff to immediately address the needs of the students in this district. The lack of experience of some recently-hired staff has put the district at a slight disadvantage while the newbies learn their roles and responsibilities.

Patricia Elliott

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 12 years.

Current occupation: Assistant director at Community Action Organization of Erie County for four years.

Education: Pursuing bachelor's degree in religious studies at Canisius College; earned certificates in various fields from otherinstitutes

Prior runs for elected office: None.

Schools children have attended: Emerson School of Hospitality,Lorraine Academy, Hillery Park Elementary, Waterfront Elementary,Buffalo United Charter School.

Notable supporters include: Buffalo Local Action Committee/Millions More Movement

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Additional bus aides
2. Smaller class sizes
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. A school program that Buffalo model comes from the Orange County Public Schools (Florida) where improvement in student academic outcomes, particularly low income minority students. The OCPS creatively and constantly assess student learning and make sure teachers and administrators have the right resources, supports to use data to improve instruction. ALL classroom decisions begin with data.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. 1. Residency requirement enforced 2. Longer schools days without additional compensation 3. Eliminating placement of teachers based on seniority

I think the district should: Reinstate neighborhood schools.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by two to four weeks (for a total of 190 to 200 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Fair.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. Dr. Cash has failed to take necessary steps to cure the district's violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which he said, before he was hired, that he would. Specifically, he said he would adopt Dr. Orfield's recommendations. This is a disappointment. He also promised adopting DPCC's Maximizing Parent Engagement Plan. He has failed to do this also. Another disappointment. Objectively, he has no record of achievement.

Austin Harig

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: Nine years.

Current occupation: President and Chairman for one year.

Education: Hutchinson Central Technical HS

Prior runs for elected office: None.

Schools children have attended: None.

Notable supporters include: Buffalo Teachers Federation, AFL-CIO, Stonewall Democrats of Buffalo

Website: austinharig.com

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Teacher raises to settle the union contract
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. We are testing our kids to death with Common Core. I was looking at my sister's 4th grade Common Core math the other day and I got a headache. It's bad and it doesn't help our kids. In Finland, their policy toward education is to teach the entire child. They bring their kids out into nature, encourage interaction, and don't stress them out with tests and universal standards. All kids are different. We should adopt a similar standard of teaching.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. I want our teachers to have job security. This is important because we can't attract good teachers to come to work at our schools unless we can offer these teachers job security. Teachers also deserve better pay, teachers in Buffalo work very hard and are often given things to do they weren't hired for. And finally, I think teachers should do some training with cultural sensitivity for minorities if they come from a suburban district specifically.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Maintain.

Extend or maintain the school year? Maintain the current length of at about 180 days.

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Good.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. Dr.Cash has performed very well during his tenure so far and I am eager to work with him. I am very happy that he is addressing issues such as the school to prison pipeline and from what I've observed, he frequently visits schools, is very open-minded, and is working very hard. I love that he's laid out an education plan, and I do think his Community Schools initiative is one of good intentions. He's addressing important issues and proposing real solutions and I appreciate that with Dr.Cash. I will be eager to work with him if elected.

Theresa A. Harris-Tigg

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: Over 30 years.

Current occupation: Assistant professor of English dducation at SUNY Buffalo State for over ten years.

Education: Doctorate in education, leaderhsip and policy, master's in the science of education from Canisius College

Prior runs for elected office: Elected to School Board in 2013.

Schools children have attended: None.

Notable supporters include: Citizen Action of New York, Bufalo Teachers Federation

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Additional bus aides
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. It is not necessarily a program, but Advanced Placement and elective (online) courses in all high schools because the opportunity should exist for all students.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. The teacher's contract needs to be supportive of teachers while ensuring that there is explicit consideration of how teacher practices impact student learning.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by two to four weeks (for a total of 190 to 200 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Good.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. As a seated board member, this question is a personnel question and therefore I will not evaluate Dr. Cash's performance in a survey.

Hope R. Jay

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 21 years.

Current occupation: Private practice attorney for five years.

Education: Doctorate, master's and bachelor's degrees from the University atBuffalo

Prior runs for elected office: None.

Schools children have attended: Omsted 64, City Honors.

Notable supporters include: Citizen Action of New York, Buffalo Teachers Federation, AFL-CIO, Stonewall Democrats.

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Additional reading teachers
3. Teacher raises to settle the union contract

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. High School: Career Academies: small learning communities in low-income high schools that offer academic and career/technical courses as well as workplace opportunities. Elementary Schools: Success for All: School wide reform program with focus on reading instruction. Increases second grade reading skills, which maintains skills at later grades. 90-minute reading classes, language development, one-on-one tutoring and small-group learning.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. 1) Eliminate plastic surgery rider. 2) Negotiate a single health care provider. 3) Increase salaries to be commensurate to comparable districts.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Maintain.

Extend or maintain the school year? Maintain the current length of at about 180 days.

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Good.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. It's too early to evaluate. If elected, I would come to the board with an open mind.

Jason M. McCarthy

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 41 years.

Current occupation: Owner of The Place restaurant for one year.

Education: University at Buffalo

Prior runs for elected office: Won the North District board seat in 2010 and 2013.

Schools children have attended: Elmwood Village Charter School,School 81. .

Notable supporters include: School Board's majority bloc

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Physical education teachers
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. I believe that an excellent school program in the City of Buffalo that many other schools could learn from and would gain from modelling their success is Emerson School of Hospitality. We need more opportunities to have real world, and career focused schooling, like at our newly expanded program at Emerson, where students can learn a trade such as hospitality, business management, customer service, culinary arts and food preparation.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. Lengthening of the school year. Lengthening of the school day. More technology in the classrooms.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by two to four weeks (for a total of 190 to 200 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Excellent.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. For the first time in years, a superintendent is supporting a community school model. It is one of the biggest issues I have fought for in my first two terms. Above all else, Kriner Cash's New Educational Bargain is a policy that seeks to make real reform, which is what parents have wanted for so long for their children. Although he has only been superintendent for a short time, I am eager to see this smart and well balanced plan come to fruition.

Bryon J. McIntyre

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 53 years.

Current occupation: Retired.

Education: Bachelor's degree from SUNY Buffalo State

Prior runs for elected office: Ran unsuccessfully for the Buffalo Board of Education and the Buffalo Common Council.

Schools children have attended: Hutchinson Central Technical School,Stanley G. Falk School.

Notable supporters include: Buffalo Local Action Committee/Millions More Movement

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Additional bus aides
2. Smaller class sizes
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. Replicate the successful programs now in place at City Honors School with wrap-around supports.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. 1) Residency requirement enforced 2) Longer school days without additional compensation 3) Health care benefits.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by more than four weeks.

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Good.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. I am impressed at the moment, but it's too early to rate him.

Jennifer L. Mecozzi

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 37 years.

Current occupation: Training and logistics coordinator at People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH) Buffalo for five months.

Education: Attended Bryant and Stratton College

Prior runs for elected office: None.

Schools children have attended: Middle Early College, Waterfront Elementary.

Notable supporters include: Citizen Action of New York,Buffalo Teachers Federation

Website: mecozzi4thepeople.nationbuilder.com

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Physical education teachers
3. Additional bus aides

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. Cornerstone Academy for Social Action in the Bronx. It's a successful Community School Model with parent engagement even though it is in a high poverty area, and has a diverse population.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. Fair compensation. Smaller class sizes. No cosmetic rider.

I think the district should: Continue the existing school choice approach to student placement.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by two to four weeks (for a total of 190 to 200 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Fair.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. Strengths: A wealth of experience (superintendent in several districts), connections with state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. Weaknesses: Not condusive to the Buffalo landscape, limited contact with the community. (through his cabinet, not directly engaged).

Colleen E. Russell

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 32 years.

Current occupation: Freelance photographer for three years.

Education: Attended Bryant & Stratton College

Prior runs for elected office: None.

Schools children have attended: Lovejoy Discovery School 43 .

Notable supporters include: School Board MembersCarl Paladinoand Larry Quinn

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Teacher raises to settle the union contract
3. Additional reading teachers

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. When schools are nearby, parents will be more involved because traveling wouldn't be such a burden. Students would spend less time on the bus and more time learning. Neighborhood schools also free up resources that could be spent in other ways. Buffalo schools spend more then $60 million a year on transportation. This will slash a quarter of that budget, freeing funds to spend on after school programs, arts, athletics, music, and nutrition.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. Fair salary increases, extended school day and extended school year.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by one to two weeks (for a total of 185 to 190 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Excellent.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. We are very fortunate to have a superintendent who is working very diligently and effectively to bring reform to our district; all stakeholders need to assist him with this endeavor.

James M. Sampson

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 11 years.

Current occupation: Retired; serves as School Board president, chairman of Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority.

Education: Master's in administration and public policy from University of Wisconsin-Madison, bachelor's in public policy from University at Buffalo

Prior runs for elected office: Won West District School Board seat in 2013.

Schools children have attended: None.

Notable supporters include: Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Additional reading teachers
3. Teacher raises to settle the union contract

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. The International Institute of Schools in New York City has demonstrated an ability to provide programming for English language learners and students new to the country. We should work collaboratively with them to restart Lafayette High School. Also, we should continue to explore the expansion of "criterion" based schools.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. Increase the salary for beginning teachers. Increase the base pay of current teachers. Lengthen the school day and school year.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by one to two weeks (for a total of 185 to 190 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Excellent.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. Dr. Cash has been the superintendent for about six months. He has assembled a high performing team to lead the district, he has organized his work around critical elements that will lead to higher graduation rates and preparing students for college and careers; and he has engaged the community, from parents to business partners.

Paulette Woods

Number of years living in the City of Buffalo: 44 years.

Current occupation: Senior budget examiner at Erie County Probation Department for 32 years.

Education: Master's in applied public affairs from the University at Buffalo; bachelor's in accounting and administration from Canisius College

Prior runs for elected office: None.

Schools children have attended: None.

Notable supporters include: School Board Member Mary Ruth Kapsiak,Erie CountyLegislator Betty Jean Grant, former Common Council President George K. Arthur

Website: None listed.

What should the district's top funding priorities be for the 2016-17 budget?
1. Smaller class sizes
2. Additional reading teachers
3. Teacher raises to settle the union contract

Cite an example of a school program (here or elsewhere) that you think should be replicated in Buffalo. I believe that there should be specialized high schools, i.e.a high school dedicated to Public Safety, Service, and Government Administration, a Medical Specialties School (jobs needed in nursing, entry level and two-year careers needed at the hospitals in the Medical Corridor), a Computer Academy of Technological Sciences. After 12 years of high school a young person should be able to get a job and be a productive member of society.

Give three specific changes that you would like to see to the Buffalo teacher contract. 1) Eliminate cosmetic rider,2) Increase co-payments and require 20% payment of health care similar to other municipal health care contracts, 3)Lengthen school day and calendar year.

I think the district should: Create a hybrid system in which some seats in a school are reserved for students living in the neighborhood and some seats are available through school choice.

Extend or maintain the school day? Extend.

Extend or maintain the school year? Extend by one to two weeks (for a total of 185 to 190 days).

Rate the job Kriner Cash has done so far as school superintendent. Good.

Evaluate Kriner Cash's performance as superintendent. Dr. Kriner Cash appears to be up to the challenge. Given that I am not a sitting School Board member, I haven't had the opportunity to evaluate him. He has only been here a short time ( 6 month) yet he is developing relationships with the community to break the school to prison pipeline, to reduce suspension rates, and increase graduation rate. I look forward to working with him to open new Innovative Career and Technical High Schools, also to develop his proposed Community School Model. He also has a working relationship with the state elected officials and the State Education Department. That relationship can serve to open doors of communication during budget negotiation and other financial meetings.