Buffalo School Board selects new president

Kathy Evans Brown, the East District representative since 2019, was nominated by Sharon Belton-Cottman and voted for unanimously to become president for 2025 at the School Board’s reorganization meeting Thursday night at City Hall. Belton-Cottman served as president the last two years.

Cindi McEachon and Larry Scott were voted vice presidents of executive affairs and student achievement, respectively.

Evans Brown said she was hesitant at first when the board discussed internally who should assume the leadership role. Encouraging words eventually swayed her. “You’re the glue, you can do this,” she said other board members told her.

“Dr. Evans Brown has always been a resolute and passionate advocate for ensuring all students receive a high-quality education in a school environment that not only fosters learning but is safe and respectful to all,” said Tonja M. Williams Knight, Buffalo Schools’ superintendent.

Two new at-large members were sworn in Thursday: Janita Everhart and Adrianna Zullich took oaths of service, as did Scott, who was re-elected to a second five-year term. They were the top three finishers in the six-person race in November. Ann Rivera and Terrance Heard completed their terms at the end of 2024. This marks the second time since Buffalo School Board elections were moved from May to November that new members were introduced in the middle of the school year.

The board president’s duties are wide-ranging. Responsibilities include speaking on the board’s behalf; ensuring meetings move smoothly; working with the superintendent and staff to determine meeting agendas; monitoring resolutions; and calling for motions on agenda items.

Evans Brown was among the board members who took a course in the Council of the Great City Schools’ student governance model, which she was excited about advancing in her new role.

As vice president of executive affairs last year, Evans Brown’s ability to ease tensions was tested during work sessions, including when Heard on two occasions questioned why the board was collaborating with the Council of the Great City Schools.

“I would say that I have a calmness about me, and I’m fair,” Evans Brown said of her leadership style. “I listen to concerns and I don’t make judgment rights away. I collect it all and process.”

She acknowledged a list of “complicated situations” she and the rest of the board would need to tackle this year, including suspensions, bullying and attendance. She said the board has had “our chaos and crises,” but she’s prepared to keep an even keel.

“I raised boys, and people always look at me and say, ‘How can you be so calm with boys?’” she said. “Whatever I had, it worked. I’m not a yeller, I’m not a loud talker. People think you have to jump up and down to make a difference – I don’t have to.”