Paladino throws hat in for school board

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Carl Paladino has been approved for development plans on the waterfront. But that’s not the only reason why Paladino is back in the headlines.

Paladino has never been one to hold back on how he feels, and now the Buffalo developer is throwing his hat into the Buffalo School Board race, because he says he wants to change the Buffalo School system.

Paladino said, “We spend $26,900 per kid and we have the worst performance in the State of New York if not America."

Developer Carl Paladino sites low graduation rates, poor statewide test scores and high dropout rates in Buffalo schools for his decision to run. He says for these numbers to turn around, the board needs to be revised. The first thing he plans to tackle, is to ask Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore to resign.

Rumore said, "We have a board of less than competent people. You would not hire any of those people that sit on the board today to work at a Delta Sonic car wash."

He says he will also fight to turn all schools to charter schools if need be, because he believes every student is entitled to a fair education.

"When I'm elected and I'm sitting in those board meetings it's not going to be pretty. Because we have an agenda, and the agenda is to improve our schools so all the kids in our community have a fair opportunity,” said Paladino.

Paladino’s plans for development along the waterfront have been approved. According to the Buffalo News, Paladino is heading a $75 million complex that will go up right next to Templeton Landing. The 14-story building includes 32 apartments and an upscale restaurant.