BUFFALO N.Y. -- Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) is facing renewed scrutiny as allegations of sexual abuse by educators and administrators continue to surface, revealing a disturbing pattern of inaction, secrecy, and legal settlements. What was once whispered among victims has now erupted into public awareness, with lawsuits, court documents, and survivor testimony laying bare systemic failures to protect students.
Below is a comprehensive review of known cases, settlements, and allegations tied to current and former BPS employees. These cases, many settled quietly through the Child Victims Act or other legal channels, suggest that institutional negligence—not isolated misconduct—is at the heart of this crisis.
1. Frederick D. Ganter – Former Principal, Lafayette High School
Allegations: Accused of sexually abusing a 16-17-year-old male student in the late 1980s, including in his school office.
Resolution: Lawsuit filed under the Child Victims Act in 2020. Ganter denied knowledge of the student and declined to comment further.
2. Gregory Johnson – Principal, School #54
Allegations: Accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old female student multiple times between November 2022 and May 2023, including on a school field trip.
Resolution: Placed on paid administrative leave; no further action or district transparency as of publication.
3. Mary Boblak – Former Teacher
Allegations: Named in multiple lawsuits alleging inappropriate sexual behavior with students during her tenure.
Resolution: Details of legal outcomes remain undisclosed.
4. Elmer Hinterberger – Physical Education Teacher, P.S. 56
Allegations: Accused of molesting several boys aged 12 to 15 in the 1970s.
Resolution: Three lawsuits were settled in August 2022. Hinterberger died in 2008.
5. Robert Sewast – Science Instructor, Emerson Vocational High School
Allegations: Allegedly molested a 14-year-old student multiple times per week starting in 1980.
Resolution: Settled in November 2022 for $80,000.
6. Frederick Speidel – Assistant Principal, P.S. 29
Allegations: Accused of molesting a 13-year-old girl in 1970.
Resolution: Case settled for $90,000.
7. Unnamed Swahili Teacher, Frederick Law Olmsted School #156
Allegations: Rape alleged by a former student at the teacher’s home in 1977.
Resolution: Case settled for $90,000.
8. Mr. Wyatt – Physical Education Teacher, P.S. 74 Hamlin Park School
Allegations: Accused of molesting a 5-year-old girl in 1963.
Resolution: Settled for $75,000.
9. Edward Harling – Physical Education Teacher, P.S. 8
Allegations: A woman alleged weekly sexual abuse during gym class between 1964 and 1966.
Resolution: Settled for $90,000.
In nearly every case, the district placed the accused on administrative leave (often paid), and refused to release details publicly. Many victims came forward only decades later, aided by the temporary legal window opened by the Child Victims Act. Settlements often included nondisclosure agreements, and the district rarely acknowledged wrongdoing.
Despite millions paid out and over a dozen victims stepping forward, Buffalo Public Schools has avoided meaningful policy reform or public reckoning. The district’s silence continues to fuel criticism from survivor advocates, police whistleblowers, and investigative journalists.
The lawsuit against Frederick D. Ganter, former principal of Lafayette High School, is currently ongoing. Filed under New York's Child Victims Act, the case alleges that Ganter sexually abused a student during the 1989–1990 school year, when the plaintiff was a 16- and 17-year-old sophomore. The abuse reportedly occurred on school grounds, including in Ganter's office. As of now, there has been no public settlement or court ruling in this case.
Ganter, who served as principal from the early 1970s to the mid-1990s, has denied the allegations, stating he did not recognize the name of the former student and declined to comment further.
The case remains active in Erie County Supreme Court, with motions and legal proceedings continuing. Given the legal complexities and the nature of the allegations, it may take time before a resolution is reached.
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/nichols-public-report/85767208
Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) is facing a growing crisis of sexual abuse allegations, which underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform. To break the cycle of neglect and secrecy, several critical changes are needed within the district.
First, transparency and accountability must be prioritized. BPS should be required to publicly report all abuse cases, investigations, and settlements, ensuring that the public has insight into how these cases are handled. Independent oversight bodies could ensure investigations are unbiased and thorough, building public trust. Along with this, school staff should undergo mandatory training on identifying and reporting abuse, with clear, accessible reporting mechanisms for students and parents.
A victim-centered approach is also crucial. Survivors need access to counseling, legal support, and opportunities for restorative justice, where they can share their experiences and influence policy changes. Additionally, non-disclosure agreements in settlements should be banned, as they often protect perpetrators and shield the district from accountability.
Finally, cultural and legal reforms are essential to shifting the focus back to student welfare. Advocating for stronger state-level legislation and extending the Child Victims Act would empower survivors to seek justice, even years after the abuse occurred. The district must foster a culture where abuse is not tolerated, and the safety of students is the top priority, not the reputation of the institution.
Buffalo Public Schools has a moral and legal obligation to its students. These cases reveal more than negligence—they suggest complicity through willful inaction. Until BPS reckons publicly with its past and commits to transparent, survivor-centered policies, its students remain at risk.
This article will continue to be updated as further cases, documents, or FOIL responses become available.
