Local Groups To Hold Charrette to Stop School Closings

A number of community organizations are co-sponsoring an Education Charrette to develop multiple ideas to present to the Rochester City School Board to prevent schools from being closed.

(Rochester) - A number of community organizations are co-sponsoring an Education Charrette to develop multiple ideas to present to the Rochester City School Board to prevent schools from being closed.  A charrette is a short, intensive design or planning activity designed to stimulate ideas and involve the public in the community planning/design process.  The charrette will be held Saturday, March 5th at 10am and is expected to last 2 - 3 hours.  It will be held at the Ark of Jesus Church, 69 Whitney Street.  Day care will be provided.

Anyone concerned about the pending school closings in the Rochester City School District is encouraged to attend.  This will not be a lecture.  The charrette will involve participants in an intense brainstorming session, the results of which will be turned into a proposal to be presented to the Rochester City School Board at its March 17th meeting followed by the lobbying of individual board members.

According to, educator Dave Atias, "The district held forums for community members to speak, but obviously we were not listened to.  This is not over until schools are actually closed.  So we are taking action.  And once we get organized, we are going to stay organized."  Atias will be facilitating the charrette.

Sponsoring organizations in alphabetical order are: Coalition for Common Sense in Education, Green Party of Monroe County, JOSANA, Metro Justice, Rochester's CURE and Union of Families. More groups are expected to be added.