Buffalo ReformED Lobbying for Parent Trigger Bill
Friday, June 17, 2011 at 12:49PM 
Buffalo Schools Superintendent James Williams has faced heat this year as parents and activists are lobbying for change in Buffalo's schools. Williams announced that he will resign in June 2012"The status quo in Buffalo is not an option; the current decision-makers do not prioritize the needs of students, protecting adult interests over those of students. Parents are the only stakeholders who will always put students first, and the Parent Trigger gives them the power to make building-level changes in the best interest of kids," says local activist Hannya Boulos in an email update to her not-for-profit Buffalo ReformED supports. The organization led a group of parents and concerned citizens to Albany on Wednesday and received tremendous support for the bill. Now however they are up against a few challenges.
The Parent Trigger Bill allows parents from a Persistently Lowest Achieving school (PLA) to petition to turn the school around according to one of three federal turnaround models: charter conversion, the restart model, or the transformation model. By giving legal authority to the parents' voice in this decision, the system is held more directly accountable and responsive to the needs of those they serve. The real strength of this bill is its power as a bargaining chip; using the bill as leverage, parents can demand changes and reforms on a school-by-school basis.
Parents left Albany on Wednesday with overwhelming support for the Parent Trigger Bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and Senator Mark Grisanti. They received pledges of support from the State Delegation representing the City of Buffalo, the Chair of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and many members, the Buffalo Common Council, and Assembly Education Chair Cathy Nolan.
After the meeting however Assemblywoman Nolan withdrew her support from the bill. Efforts are underway currently to work to pass the bill.
Ways to get involved;
Help the Parent Trigger pass, send a letter of support to the Western New York delegation, Senate and Assembly Education Committees, and Black and Hispanic Caucus , or contact Assemblywoman Nolan. Parents of children at failing schools do not have another year to wait, their kids' futures are on the line.
