News & Media

Lowering school suspensions in Buffalo and increasing support for the rising number of students learning English as a new language have emerged as two key educational issues in next month’s race for the Board of Education.

Those were two recurring themes at a forum Tuesday that brought 14 of the 16 candidates to the same stage for the first time.

More than 75 people turned out at Lafayette International Community High School with questions that included:

• What steps would they take to add more bilingual teachers?

• How would they address the disproportionate number of students of color who are being suspended?

• Would they review the district’s process for appealing school suspensions?

The forum was sponsored by the community organizing network VOICE-Buffalo and its Buffalo Immigrant Leadership Team, which has been aggressive in lobbying for immigrant and refugee students in the district.

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