CASILIO STATEMENT ON 66 MIGRANT STUDENTS AT MARYVALE SCHOOL

I commend Maryvale School Superintendent Joe D’Angelo for his comments and for navigating this crisis. The district has been put in a “No win situation,” and if reporting by WGRZ – Channel 2, Buffalo is accurate, “We’re also told that so far there will be no additional state funding for local school districts.” Then local taxpayers will be on the hook.

For months I have asked the media and Mark Poloncarz about the costs associated with this situation and what the plan was for school in the fall. I have been met with avoidance and gaslighting. This community deserves better.

I want to be extremely clear; migrant children are innocent in this crisis; they have been failed by the government of their home country and the failed policies at the federal, state, and county levels.

My anger and criticism are directed toward absent elected leaders like Mark Poloncarz. Cheektowaga and Erie County taxpayers shouldn’t have been put in this situation to begin with. They will now literally have to pay the price for Mark Poloncarz’s incompetence.

If elected, I will always be honest and transparent with the public. I will not let politics dictate how county government operates, and I will put the interests of county taxpayers first.