Buffalo schools shedding administrators

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There’s an exodus of sorts from the ranks of Buffalo school administrators.

It started in January when Myra Burden, who earned $145,000 as chief of technology, resigned after only two years. She led the district through a rocky period, including the switch to remote learning due to the pandemic and a ransomware attack that hindered the district’s operations. The position remains unfilled.

Elena Cala, who earned $88,265 as special assistant to the superintendent for public relations, was quick to follow and resigned to accept a similar position at West Seneca schools. She had worked for the district since 2010 and earned a reputation for antagonism towards reporters. The position has been filled by Ka’Ron Barnes, who previously worked for Mayor Byron Brown as director of urban affairs.

You’re probably aware that the district’s head honcho, Kriner Cash, was next. He resigned as superintendent and made over $300,000 doing so. That’s on top of the over $1.5 million in salary he earned over his seven years in Buffalo. Tonja Williams, previously associate superintendent of student support services, succeeds him in an acting capacity. 

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On Wednesday, the School Board, in its first meeting since Cash’s resignation, did not discuss how it intends to conduct a job search for a permanent replacement. 

Now comes word that Jamie Warren, associate superintendent for human resources since 2016, was walked out of City Hall last week. The district has attempted to keep her departure under wraps, leaving it only to rumor to explain why. She earned $156,372. Her successor on an acting basis is Tami Hollie-Mcgee, pulled up from her position as deputy director of human resources.

Layne Dowdall