Why have 3 Buffalo charter schools asked for reduced enrollments? It depends on who answers

During the last two months, charter schools BRICK Buffalo, Buffalo Creek and Buffalo Commons were scheduled to appear before the Buffalo School Board for the same reason.

They wanted their authorizer, SUNY Charter Schools Institute, to approve lower enrollments for their schools for current and future years.

Holding a public hearing in the city school district is, by law, part of the process.

BRICK, citing a scheduling delay, did not await his hearing. Buffalo Creek’s school leader got into a shouting match with Buffalo School Board President Sharon Belton-Cottman. Buffalo Commons, the final presenter, took a more peaceful approach.

Why are these three charters requesting approval to educate fewer students? The Buffalo School Board and district Superintendent Tonja M. Williams’ answers to that question differ sharply from that of charters, which have largely pointed to factors out of their control.

‘Emergency stabilization’ planned for historic Cobblestone properties after Tuesday night fire: Mayor Byron Brown announced Wednesday that “emergency stabilization,” and not emergency demolition, would be undertaken on two joined 19th-century buildings in the historic Cobblestone District heavily damaged by fire Tuesday night. Read more

‘Weird, wonderful cathedral’: Remembering the Old Pink and the night I saw my future: “At the Pink, I knew I would hear good music and meet plenty of characters, many of them creative, cool, smart,” Samantha Christmann writes. Read more

School bus-arm cameras are coming to Buffalo. Here’s what you should know: BusPatrol is starting an awareness campaign Thursday with the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools to alert residents of potential $250 fines for any motorist who passes a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended. Read more

Meetings scheduled to update Buffalo residents on 2025 reassessment: Nine meetings, one for each Council district, have been scheduled. Residents are being encouraged to attend the meetings scheduled for their individual district. Read more

Humidity continues: A mix of sunshine and clouds with the possibility of a stray shower or thunderstorm. High near 85 degrees. Read more

This week in Buffalo food: Strawberry season specials, restaurant news and openings: It’s time to savor strawberry specials at area restaurants before the short season passes. Read more

In ‘Inversion/Presence,’ Torn Space Theater presents an experiential music performance: “We’re trying to create this dialogue with people and bring people together in a way that we can all at least change the way we think or hear,” said Frank Napolski, a lead designer and Groupwork member. Read more

What WNY is watching: ‘Young Sheldon’ ends its run with a big bang in ratings: As usual, CBS programs and NBC’s Wednesday night series of “Chicago” programs dominated the Top 10 here in Nielsen household viewership, Alan Pergament writes. Read more

Things to Do: Shakespeare returns, Open Essex, Vidler’s, weekend concerts: Here’s a look at highlights of events happening in the next week. Read more

Two Buffalo Niagara business groups moving in office shuffle: The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is temporarily moving its offices to Amherst, while Invest Buffalo Niagara is relocating within downtown. Read more

AFC East preview: Offseason moves show it’s Super Bowl or bust for Jets: It has been another go-for-broke offseason for the New York Jets, who figuratively have pushed all their chips to the middle of the table on 2024. Read more

PlayAction podcast: Bills face serious competition in AFC East: Mark Gaughan and Katherine Fitzgerald look at the challenges ahead as the Bills try to stay on top. Read more

Why Sabers promoted Jerry Forton to assistant general manager before draft day: Forton has led the Sabres’ past three drafts since he was elevated to director of amateur scouting in 2021. He runs a staff of 11 scouts and collaborates with an analytics department that’s led by Sam Ventura, the Sabres’ vice president of hockey strategy and research . Read more

Buffalo keeps cool under heat dome: Temperatures climbed into the 90s across Buffalo on Wednesday, sending people looking for splash pads, shady trees and water bottles in an attempt to stay cool. View photos

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