Buffalo Schools Superintendent Pamela Brown said Friday she will seek an amicable agreement with the Board of Education for her departure from the district.Brown made her brief comments at a hastily-called City Hall news conference Friday afternoon. She spoke for roughly two minutes and did not take any questions from reporters.
An emotional Brown referred to "recent, persistent and baseless allegations" about her suitability to serve in making her decision. She said it was in the best interest of the community, the district and its students that she attempt to reach an accord.
"It's clear that a segment of the school board desires new leadership," Brown said.
Reports surfaced Friday that Brown's attorney reached out to the school board during a closed door session at Wednesday's meeting. Brown was thought to be seeking "graceful exit" from the post, rather than being fired.
School Board member Carl Paladino was not at Wednesday's meeting, but confirmed there was a discussion on the matter.
"The attorney out of Washington approached the board attorney, Karl Kristoff, with the idea of maybe presenting an option to allow the superintendent to resign," Paladino told WBFO.
A new school board majority will take its place on July 1, after two new members, Larry Quinn and Patricia Bowers Pierce, came out on top in this month's school board election. Both are thought to be allies of Paladino, who has repeatedly sought Brown's removal.
Brown has previously refused attempts to buy her out of her contract.
WBFO News also tried to get comment from interim Deputy Schools Superintendent Mary Guinn, but she said she had "I have no comment, thank you" on the matter and headed for an elevator on the eight floor of City Hall outside the Board of Education office.
Guinn was the controversial consultant and then hire of Superintendent Brown.