MOTION SUBMITTED BY JAMES M.

SAMPSON JULY 31st, 2013

BACKGROUND On July 10th, 2013, State Education Department Commissioner John King notified the Buffalo Public Schools that the most recently submitted applications for School Improvement Grant funds for Lafayette and East High Schools had once again been denied. Over the past three years three applications have been submitted and denied for Lafayette High School and two have been submitted and denied for East High School. In addition to denying the applications and attendant funding the Commissioner also directed that the district submit plans for both schools that would provide for placement in BOCES programs for any student in both schools who decided to participate. The district also had the option of creating an Educational Partnership Organization relationship with BOCES in addition to offering placement. Failure to successfully comply with these directives could result in the registration being revoked for one or both schools. Within days the district was also notified that the Corrective Action Plan that was submitted for failing to provide choice for students in Priority and Focus schools was denied. The districts inability to successfully complete applications creates financial strains for the district. Further, facing the potential of having the registration revoked for two high schools could create significant disruption and strike at the heart of the districts ability to function as a viable educational institution. Most importantly, year after year the district is failing to provide quality educational opportunities for an increasing number of students. MOTION It is moved that at the first regularly schedule BOE in August 2013, the Superintendent provide the BOE a report detailing the following: A detailed history of the failed attempt at submitting SIG applications to SED for Lafayette and East High Schools, A detailed review of who is responsible for submitting SIG applications and the scope and depth of administrative oversight, A detailed assessment of why the district has been unsuccessful in submitting the SIG applications, and

A detailed plan identifying actions, who will accomplish those actions and by when, to insure that the district develops the capacity to successfully submit SIG and similar applications.