Community Education Task Force (CETF) Responds to RCSD/Charter Compact and School Closings

Recently Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard announced that the Rochester City School District has entered into a new "partnership" with local charter schools. The Compact, funded by the wealthy Gates Foundation, was established without any public input from parents, students, teachers, RCSD commissioners, or the broader community.

The Community Education Task Force (CETF) is troubled by this development at a time when Mr. Brizard is trying to close down our neighborhood schools. In fact, the superintendent was instrumental in creating the current climate in New York City, which pits charters against neighborhood public schools in a bitter battle for resources. While there are some “success” stories of children for whom charter schools are good, the market-based charter system as a whole operates to benefit a few while truly leaving the rest behind. Clear winners in New York City include “edupreneurs” who make millions “managing” education dollars, real estate moguls, hedge fund managers, and million dollar charter school “directors.”

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