Community Education Task Force Press Conference Opposing Mayoral Control of RCSD

The Community Education Task Force was formed as follow-up to a parent and community speak out held at the Rochester Museum & Science Center on January 9, 2010, which was attended by at least 150 parents, community activists and others.

It became clear to us that a large group of those who attended the September 9th speak out oppose mayoral control of the Rochester City School District.

IMC Video of Press Conference :http://blip.tv/file/3091192

Thus, we decided to help facilitate ongoing, organized resistance, leadership and direction regarding parents’, activists’ and community members’ desires to defeat Mayor Robert Duffy’s proposed take-over of the Rochester City School District.

We reject the Mayor’s attempt to take control of the Rochester City School District because:

• such an arrangement would deprive the citizens of Rochester of our Constitutional rights to vote for our representatives.

• Robert Duffy has no educational knowledge or expertise.

• we fear the possibility of placing too much power in the hands of one individual.

• there is a possibility that future Rochester mayors may not be interested in controlling the Rochester City School District.

• we do not believe that Robert Duffy has a plan to produce academic improvement within the Rochester City School District.

• there is no credible evidence that mayoral control has been successful in other cities.

• Robert Duffy seems to believe that his proposed changes can be implemented without having substantive and timely dialogue with parents and community.