HAMBURG, N.Y. — The Frontier Central Teachers’ Association issued a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Dr. Richard Hughes on Friday.
In a statement, the teachers union said the vote was 95 percent, citing a "systemic lack of leadership" by Dr. Hughes.
"There is no one single issue that pushed us to this vote," FCTA President Amber Chandler said in a statement. "This has been the culmination of a complete lack of leadership on the part of Dr. Hughes.
"The district lacked a cohesive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and when our students and their families, teachers and staff needed a leader, what we got were excuses, a refusal to address critical concerns, and a seeming lack of empathy or understanding from the superintendent."
Chandler said Dr. Hughes has refused to accept responsibility for the district's decisions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Chandler told 2 On Your Side tat teachers were told the day before school started that there would not be teachers specifically for remote students, a question she says she asked Dr. Hughes about a few weeks prior. She said she didn't hear back.
"We're super excited to be back, very excited to be back. We're excited to connect with our students remotely, and we just need a structure, and some protocols and direction to make that as successful as possible," she said.
Chandler says the teachers union sent a letter to the school board about these concerns.
We reached out to Dr. Hughes for comment but have not yet heard back.
The Frontier Central Teachers’ Association wants the school district to begin a process that would remove Dr. Hughes from his post while also starting a search for a new superintendent.
"Our students, teachers, staff and community deserve better," Chandler said. "They deserve a leader they can turn to in challenging times, someone who will offer a clear strategy to success, not excuses, blame and denial."
