Group unveils plan to help city schools

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A local not-for-profit group unveiled a plan Saturday to help two of the city's low performing schools.

The Chameleon Community Schools Project held its first community meeting to discuss a federally approved plan for restarting Persistently Low Achieving schools. Under the plan, low achieving schools would be closed and reopened as charter schools.

The group proposed that East High School and Waterfront Elementary School be converted to charter schools beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.

According to Chameleon Schools Project board member Steven Polowitz, providing this opportunity for the two schools would give 10% of students in failing schools a high quality education.

"There are more than 15,000 children in failing schools in Buffalo," Polowitz said. "Restructuring schools as charters schools gives them the autonomy and flexibility necessary for these schools and their students to have the best possible chance for turnaround success."