In case you missed it, the Erie County Board of Elections has tallied absentee votes, and incumbent Florence Johnson, who was thought to have lost to challenger Bryon McIntyre, will retain her seat on the Buffalo School Board.
The winners of the race that was held earlier this month for 3 board seats are challenger John Licata and incumbents Chris Jacobs and Florence Johnson. Incumbent Catherine Collins was voted out. While Superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools Dr. James Williams often enjoyed 5 – 4 support on the 9 person board that included Collins, Jacobs and Johnson, the Licata win may shift support to Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore on upcoming issues.
Shortly after the election, data was released by the state that shows ELA scores in Buffalo Public Schools are enjoying a drastic rise. See this WGRZ link. The timing of these two events, the election followed by the release of score data, gives new credence to the notion that the school board election might best be held in November when voters have a broader base of information and voter turnout is high, versus the 5 percent of registered voters who participated in the School Board election this year.
Those interested, can sign a petition here that may help to change the election date.