At the rate he’s fouling things, James Williams may warrant another fat raise

Superintendent James Williams

Problems continue to worsen for the Buffalo Public School District, thanks to the irrational leadership of increasingly embattled Superintendent James Williams. It’s hard to imagine it was less than a year ago that outgoing school board members approved the rollover of annuities (a raise) and contract extension to Williams as their parting gift. His previous contract would have run through June 2009, but his old allies on the board somehow felt compelled to reward him in advance last spring, before the new board members could be sworn in.

Based on disappointing recent student test scores and various scandals ranging from strange firings and resignations of staff, to student suspensions, to internal mail tampering, all the way to his most recent mishandling of charges that accuse a classroom aide of fondling a five-year-old autistic student at Discovery School 67 last November, fewer and fewer people can stomach his persistent claims that he is on a “mission” to help children. It is likely that by the time this issue goes to press, yet another ethics investigation will be underway regarding the Discovery School incident.

As mandated by law, the current board is now beginning the process of evaluating Williams’ performance over the past year. This process will play out over the course of four meetings that will wrap up in June.

It’s a near certainty that various lawsuits will be in full-swing against the school district by that time, and it’s conceivable that a lot of money will have to be paid out to mistreated students and staff as a result of snafus that were the product of an administration continually obsessed with controlling and massaging information to cover its own dumb actions. If the district loses big on these cases as a result of inept policies and practices, how many taxpayers will believe it when Williams calls a press conference and photo-op to proclaim once again that he’s “doing it for the children”?

It should come as no surprise that the Buffalo Public School District is currently “seeking an experienced professional providing a broad spectrum of support services for the Superintendent of Schools.” The job title? “Confidential Secretary.” Seriously. The job description reads (in part) as follows:

This is a highly responsible position involved with handling the confidential functions of the administrative office for the Superintendent of Schools. The scope of duties involve the carrying out of established policies set forth by the Superintendent and the Board of Education, and regulations and procedures as they relate to administrative matters. The incumbent works under direct supervision of the Superintendent and no supervisory duties are exercised…interacts with employees, parents, general public, relieving the Superintendent of routine matters.

Ideal candidates will also presumably know how to keep their mouths shut and operate a paper shredder. MYOB and CYA degrees preferred.

—buck quigley