HTN: Higher Scores on Math Tests

Buffalo students are scoring higher on state Math tests. Sixty-three-percent of Buffalo Public Schools third through eighth graders scored at or above the state standard. That number was just 29-percent last year. Across New York, 86-point-four-percent of students in grades three through eight achieved the passing-standard this year, compared with just 80-point-seven-percent in 2008.

HTN: Williams Supporter Wins Back Board Seat

The final vacant seat has been filled in the Buffalo School Board. Florence D. Johnson was declared a winner after eight-hundred absentee ballots were counted yesterday. Superintendent James Williams will now have four supporters on the nine-member board, and board Member Pamela Perry-Cahill is considered a possible fifth vote of support for Williams and his policies.

HTN: ELA Scores Up at Buffalo Schools

HTN: Buffalo School Board Elections

Today is election day in Buffalo. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is reportedly responsible for a 30-thousand-dollar direct-mail campaign supporting the three at-large incumbents on the Buffalo School Board, and is being taken to court for possible wrongdoing. The BNP is accused of violating education laws, by surpassing the legal contribution limit, and for not registering the name on the flyer. The three candidates: Dr. Catherine Collins, Chris Jacobs and Florence Johnson have said they did not approve of the flyers.

HTN: Longer Buffalo School Days for Some?

The school day at 34 schools in Buffalo could be extended by one hour. That's just one measure school officials are debating. The district is looking for ways to best spend 24-million dollars in federal stimulus money. The longer school day is already in place at 17 learning facilities in the city. Other possibilities include making half-day summer classes full day, providing extra instruction to 13-hundred high school kids at risk of dropping out and helping parents get more involved with their children's education.

HTN: Tonawanda Parents mad About School Closing

City of Tonawanda parents swarmed a special School Board meeting last night to ask why administrators did not seek their input before voting to close Highland Elementary. Last Tuesday the school board voted to close Highland at the end of this school year. Students would be moved into three other elementary school buildings, and grades in each building would be reconfigured. Parents say some kids would have to switch schools every two years and many more siblings would be separated. Superintendent Dr. Whitney Vantine says he will ask for another look at the school closing and reconfiguration plan with the assistance of a parents' committee.

HTN: Some City Schools Improving

Academic improvements in the Buffalo School District are paying off. Six city schools have now been taken off of New York State's list of badly-underperforming schools. Now, the number of Buffalo schools under review is just ten. No other Buffalo Niagara region schools are on the list. Those Buffalo schools improved in areas like English and math test scores. Officials say the improved performance is due in part to a reform of the district's program which features longer school days and a longer school year, smaller class sizes and the increased use of math, reading and technology coaches.

HTN: Buffalo Schools to get Late Start

Buffalo Schools will begin the 2009-10 school year on September 9th, one week after most suburban districts will start. The Buffalo Teachers Federation rejected a proposal to hold classes before Labor Day. Other districts are starting the week before because of the late holiday this year.

HTN: Buffalo Schools Cited for All-High Stairway

Buffalo schools have been cited by state labor investigators for safety violations at All High Stadium, after a sports reporter fell to his death. Five violations were written against the district for the steep metal stairs at the stadium, where Buffalo News reporter Tom Borrelli slipped and fell to his death. The school has until July 18th to correct the violations.

Hometown News: All-High Stairs Unsafe in State Study

State investigators are calling steep metal press box stairs at All High Stadium unsafe. The Buffalo Public Schools were cited in a report commissioned after the accidental death last November of Buffalo News sportswriter Tom Borrelli. Five serious safety violations were charged, including the angle of the stairway, and lack of handrails.