An employee of Buffalo Public Schools has filed a notice of claim accusing two senior district officials of sexual harassment and alleging the district did not stop the behavior despite repeated reports. The filing names former Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga and Board of Education member Muki Hawkins and seeks compensation for emotional distress and harm to the employee’s professional reputation.
Allegations described in the filing
The notice of claim, filed by staff member Antoinette Amos, says the alleged misconduct continued for months. According to the filing, Amos contends that Mubenga kissed her and forced her to touch him in an area of her body without her consent. The filing also says Hawkins made sexually suggestive remarks while the two were in a car together and later retaliated by circulating rumors and attempting to discredit her during board meetings.
“These are not one-off instances. These are not interpersonal mistakes. This is a pattern of conduct,” said Kristen Elmore Garcia, the employee’s attorney.
District response and next steps
Mubenga resigned as superintendent earlier this week. The filing states the district has 90 days to hold a hearing on the notice of claim; after that period the employee may pursue a civil lawsuit. Neither Mubenga nor Hawkins have issued a public response to the allegations, and the school district has not released a statement in connection with the claim.
- Accuser: Antoinette Amos, Buffalo Public Schools employee
- Accused: Dr. Pascal Mubenga (former superintendent); Muki Hawkins (Board of Education member)
- Alleged conduct: unwelcome kissing, forced physical contact, sexually suggestive remarks, and retaliation
- Procedural timeline: district has 90 days to conduct a hearing following the notice of claim
Local context and consequences
Allegations against district leadership carry implications for trust between families, staff and school governance in Buffalo. The employee’s attorney told reporters the district was aware of complaints yet did not act to halt the alleged behavior. That assertion, if substantiated, could prompt additional personnel reviews, influence board dynamics and shape community expectations for how the district handles reports of misconduct.
For staff and parents, the case raises immediate questions about workplace safety, reporting protections and how the district enforces codes of conduct for senior officials. The notice of claim seeks damages for emotional distress and injury to the accuser’s professional reputation; should the matter proceed to a hearing or civil suit, further details will likely emerge in public filings or testimony.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing | Notice of claim by Buffalo Public Schools employee |
| Named officials | Dr. Pascal Mubenga; Muki Hawkins |
| Resignation | Mubenga resigned earlier this week |
| District action window | 90 days to conduct a hearing |
Community members and education advocates in Buffalo will be watching how the Board of Education and the district administration respond in the coming weeks. The district’s handling of the claim — including any investigatory steps, protective measures for staff and public communications — will shape perceptions of accountability and safety in Buffalo’s schools.
Reporting on this matter was based on a local affiliate’s account of the notice of claim and statements by the accuser’s attorney. Additional developments, including an official response from the district or the accused parties, have not been reported as of this filing.
