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 &amp;amp; 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 <!--break--> 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.

<p>The Community Education Task Force was formed as follow-up to a parent and community speak out held at the Rochester Museum &amp;amp; Science Center on January 9, 2010, which was attended by at least 150 parents, community activists and others. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>IMC Video of Press Conference :<a href="http://blip.tv/file/3091192">http://blip.tv/file/3091192</a></p> <!--break--><p>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.</p> <p>We reject the Mayor’s attempt to take control of the Rochester City School District because:</p> <p>• such an arrangement would deprive the citizens of Rochester of our Constitutional rights to vote for our representatives. </p> <p>• Robert Duffy has no educational knowledge or expertise.</p> <p>• we fear the possibility of placing too much power in the hands of one individual.</p> <p>• there is a possibility that future Rochester mayors may not be interested in controlling the Rochester City School District.</p> <p>• we do not believe that Robert Duffy has a plan to produce academic improvement within the Rochester City School District.</p> <p>• there is no credible evidence that mayoral control has been successful in other cities.</p> <p>• Robert Duffy seems to believe that his proposed changes can be implemented without having substantive and timely dialogue with parents and community.</p>