Buffalo Schools have lacked transparency in reopening, and today tried to block us from asking YOUR tough questions.
A rep demanded we send questions ahead of an interview the *District offered* after finding out I was the reporter assigned.
READ MORE: https://www.wkbw.com/rebound/keeping-you-safe/kriner-cash-discusses-whether-buffalo-schools-can-get-students-back-to-school-safely-this-fall

Sending questions to public officials is against station policy. I asked for a seated interview because of the many documents we had to review.
She called my boss to complain.
It was settled.
Then, when I arrived, behind my bosses back, I was again asked 4 questions in advance.

You can read the full transcript of our conversation in the above article, but here are some highlights.
1. The interview was offered only after rumors circulated that Cash has been out of the District for duration of the reopening planning. I asked him if this was true.

2. District rep insisted I read all of the 160-page reopening plan before arriving, as if I need help doing my job. Then when I began quoting parts of plan for feedback -- Cash seemed unsure of what the document actually said. I did not ask whether he's read it. Should've.

3. Teachers have complained they weren't consulted in reopening plans. Parents have asked how teachers will be held accountable for proper instruction. There was some confusion on this point.

4. The reopening plan says it may be impossible to fulfill the 180-day education requirement. Cash struggled to explain why. He said the year will be "jagged". Although plans specifically say instruction will be made available to students whether in-school or out/ill.

5. The plans include a parent survey that says a "large portion of respondents thanked the District for all of the hard work and help it has provided."
1,451 parents responded.
There are 33,000 students in the District.
Contrast: the BPS teacher survey had 86% response rate

5b. Each parent would have to have nearly 30 kids in the district for this to accurately represent sentiments.
I asked Cash whether this was enough of a representative sample to make broad statements highlighting parent and student satisfaction.

That might be bad math.
I don't know.
I failed Algebra I and had to cheat my way through statistics, but you get the point, yes?

6. Our conversation ended with Dr. Cash comparing the responsibility of teachers to show up to that of frontline workers in the pandemic. Says they didn't feel safe, or supported but went to work anyway.

I understand I ask tough questions, but they are well researched and informed.
We have interviewed many superintendents in many districts.
None have tried to control the narrative of how we get answers for parents.
This is *not* the first run-in I've had with BPS doing this.

Here is our finished story that ran this evening holding Cash's feet to the fire to try and get answers for parents. We didn't get far.