Rand is a vice president of M&T Bank and a director of Rand Capital Corp., with strong communicat... City school elections...

Rand is a vice president of M&T Bank and a director of Rand Capital Corp., with strong communications skills and an ability to digest financial data that would serve the district well. She also is committed to working with teachers, and her 20 years in deal-making as a mortgage banker has honed her ability to hear concerns, balance interests, focus on collaboration and reach consensus.

Her opponent, Gregory B. Olma, is an experienced politician and former county legislator with a reputation for fiery independence. A father of two young children, he backs early childhood education, expanding prekindergarten and an increase in school discipline.

Petrucci is a city building inspector and former city housing director who has placed his focus on improving graduation rates and on vocational and technological training. With three children in district schools, Petrucci is aware of the issues. When his children were at St. Ambrose, he served as a board member and then as School Board president. In that role, he had to deal with a charter school opening and the need to raise the level of options in the face of competition — a parallel to challenges facing Buffalo public schools.

His on-ballot opponents are Gerald T. Quinn, who held positions in finance and insurance and is currently semi-retired, and Kevin J. Becker, a Buffalo substitute teacher and driver education instructor in parochial schools. Quinn focuses on increased vocational and mandatory character training classes, and Becker notes experience and qualifications working in a variety of school districts. There's a writein campaign by Buffalo Police Officer Anthony LeBron.

Incumbent Ralph Hernandez should be returned to the School Board because of his experience in complex board issues. He brings an independent, if sometimes combative, critical voice. His public disagreements with the school superintendent are well documented.

Three years ago when he ran, Hernandez promised parents and taxpayers he would work to improve the quality of education and hold the district accountable to ensure state or federal grant money reaches the classroom. He has certainly been cognizant of that role, questioning grants more than any other board member.

Opponent Clarissa Acosta is a manager for Bank of America and co-founder of a West Side community group working with at-risk youth. A young parent with a child in public school, she wants better communication between teachers and parents as well as after-school activities for students.

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