BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Board of Education has accepted the immediate resignation of Dr. Pascal Mubenga as superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, 11 months into a four-year contract to lead New York's second-largest school district.
A spokesperson for the district confirmed to 7 News that the Board of Education agreed to waive the 90-day advance notice of the effective date of his resignation, in accordance with the terms of his contractual employment as superintendent of schools. The contract does not include a severance or buyout agreement.
Mubenga's resignation comes a month after board members learned a member of the board was facing allegations of sexually harassing staff members in the district. The board refused to identify the member facing the allegations but retained a Buffalo law firm to conduct an independent investigation.
Mubenga was appointed as superintendent in July 2025 and held previous superintendent positions in other schools.
This is the second consecutive superintendent position from which Mubenga has resigned. He stepped down as superintendent of Durham Public Schools in North Carolina amid a pay controversy in 2024.
The board appointed Mubenga in July 2025, with his contract calling for him to be paid $285,000 a year through 2029. Board members praised his qualifications at the time of his appointment.
"His proven history of producing results and positive outcomes and then balancing that with relationships and understanding the human aspects," board of education member at-large Larry Scott said.
Mubenga also addressed the district at the time of his appointment.
"I want you to know that I will work hard every single day to assure you receive the highest quality education, in the learning environments that is safe, nurturing and inspiring," Mubenga said.
WATCH: BPS Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga resigns after one year in position
A month after his appointment, Mubenga was sworn in by then-Mayor Chris Scanlon and spoke about his vision for students in the district.
"I do not believe in closing the achievement gap. I believe in making sure that everybody's moving forward, so you're not going to hold one group down so that the other group will catch up. We have to continue moving everybody forward. That's my commitment here," Mubenga said.
The board released the following statement Monday night:
"Tonight, Monday, July 13, the Board of Education voted on two motions during the session of its special meeting to accept the immediate resignation of Dr. Pascal Mubenga as superintendent of the Buffalo Public Schools. The board also voted on a separate motion to appoint Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock as the Interim Superintendent of Schools, effective July 14, 2026. The board will have no further comment at this time."
The board president also shared she had no further comment. It remains unclear whether Dr. Mubenga will receive any remaining money owed on his contract.
The board voted on the resignation and on a separate motion to appoint Dr. Ebony Prophet-Bullock as interim superintendent during a special meeting Monday night. Prophet-Bullock, who serves as the district's chief accountability officer, steps into the role effective July 14, 2026.
Edward Speidel, president of the District Parent Coordinating Council, said he was caught off guard by the announcement.
"I'm just in shock. In a bingo card, we didn't see this coming today," Speidel said.
Speidel spoke with 7 News' Pheben Kassahun minutes after the announcement and expressed concern about what the leadership change means for students.
"I'm disappointed because I always have hope when we hire a new superintendent. There's chaos going on right now. We don't know what it is, why people, why he quit, why lawyers have all quit. I do wish him the best. I mean, our children are the ones who are going to suffer from this," Speidel said.
