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Attention: Please share this open letter:
OPEN LETTER TO BUFFALO’S BOARD OF EDUCATION and out our LOWER WEST SIDE COMMUNITY
by Alberto O. Cappas, publisher,
Buffalo Latino Village:
Dear Members of the Buffalo Board of Education,
I am writing to you as a concerned resident of the Lower West Side community, and as publisher of the Buffalo Latino Village, to urge you to reconsider the proposed closure of Buffalo’s School 3 (D’Youville Porter Campus School).
This institution is far more than just a school building; it is a vital cultural and educational anchor for Buffalo’s Puerto Rican/Latino community and a beacon of bilingual education.
School 3 serves nearly 80% Puerto Rican/Latino students and stands as one of only six bilingual schools in the city. Closing it would dismantle a critical bilingual program that nurtures language development, cultural identity, and family engagement. Such a move risks fragmenting a concentrated community and weakening the trust that families have placed in the district.
The school’s location in a dense, walkable West Side neighborhood makes it accessible to many children who walk to class daily. Closing School 3 would force families to rely on buses or endure longer commutes, creating significant barriers for working parents and potentially reducing attendance. Keeping the school open aligns with Buffalo’s commitment to safe, accessible, and community-centered education.
Moreover, the closure disproportionately impacts Puerto Rican/Latino families, raising serious concerns about equity and inclusion. The district must prioritize solutions that preserve cultural hubs and bilingual education opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to diversity, fairness, and inclusion.
Rather than closing School 3, I urge the district to invest in targeted academic supports such as strengthening attendance initiatives, expanding bilingual teacher training, and partnering with community organizations for tutoring and enrichment. Closure signals abandonment, while renewal signals a commitment to student success.
Families and advocates have expressed that the closure process felt politically influenced and rushed. Keeping School 3 open would allow time for transparent dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, fostering trust essential for long-term stability.
In conclusion, while closing School 3 may offer short-term financial savings, it would cost Buffalo dearly in community trust, equity, and cultural vitality. I respectfully ask the Board to keep School 3 open and invest in its renewal as a moral commitment to the future of Buffalo’s children.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THEIR CASE!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Alberto O. Cappas, Publisher
Buffalo Latino Village
646-248-2302
