Buffalo Public Schools officials confirmed a sudden leadership change Monday when Dr. Pascal Mubenga resigned as superintendent less than a year after taking the post.
Board accepts resignation behind closed doors
The Buffalo Board of Education accepted Mubenga’s resignation in a late Monday closed‑door special session, according to local reporting. The board did not release a reason for the resignation.
"No reason was given for his resignation."
As part of the board’s action, Dr. Ebony Prophet‑Bullock was named interim superintendent. The resignation package, which included the interim appointment, was approved by the Board of Education.
Contract, background and immediate impact
Mubenga was hired about a year ago on a four‑year contract with a stated annual salary of $285,000. He had succeeded Dr. Tonja Williams Knight, who retired at the end of the 2024‑25 school year.
Before coming to Buffalo, Mubenga served as superintendent of Durham Public Schools in North Carolina, where he oversaw a district with more than 30,000 students. His tenure in Buffalo lasted under a full year.
- Appointment: roughly one year ago (succeeded Dr. Tonja Williams Knight)
- Contract: four years, $285,000 annual salary
- Resignation accepted: late Monday in a closed special session
- Interim named: Dr. Ebony Prophet‑Bullock
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Hired as superintendent | About one year ago |
| Contract start | Four‑year agreement, $285,000/year |
| Resignation accepted by board | Late Monday (special closed session) |
| Interim superintendent named | Dr. Ebony Prophet‑Bullock |
Questions for the district and the community
The abruptness of the move and the closed‑door nature of the board session leave open several operational and governance questions for Buffalo families and staff: Who will manage priorities such as hiring, safety, academic plans and budgets in the near term? How long will the interim superintendent serve? Will the board hold a public discussion to explain the transition?
For parents and educators across the district, continuity of services—classroom instruction, special education, transportation and summer programming—will be a key concern. The board’s decision package included the interim appointment, but the district has not published a public timeline for a national search or for when community stakeholders might be consulted about permanent leadership.
The change follows a year of transition for Buffalo Public Schools after the retirement of Dr. Williams Knight and reflects the governance authority of the Board of Education over superintendent contracts and succession. District staff and board members are expected to provide additional public information in coming days as they implement the interim leadership plan.
Community members with questions about operations or their children’s schools should monitor official Buffalo Public Schools communications and Board of Education notices for updates.
