Superintendent's Brief 11.12.21
Dr. Lesli Myers-Small
Weekly Video Message

In this week's video message, I explain how I shared my recommendations this week regarding school reconfigurations for next year with the Board of Education. I encourage you to view my presentation, School Reconfiguration Recommendations. This work has been guided by several factors:

Access to equitable academic and extracurricular programming
It is imperative that we provide opportunities to afford all students access to specialized programs, continuums, and athletics. 

Enrollment and choice
Our enrollment has continued to significantly decline over the past seven years. 

Accountability status
Out of our 48 schools, we currently have 12 in receivership status and 20 needing targeted or comprehensive support. These schools are all considered low performing, according to New York State standards.

Building capacity, use, and condition
Many of our buildings are not being maximized to capacity, and one has been around for nearly 100 years.

Community conversations are important, and I want to make sure that you are informed well in advance of a Board of Education vote in February. Our next step in this process is to speak to our school communities, student leaders, parent groups, and staff, as we prepare for a public hearing on December 15. 

Yesterday, we honored veterans and their selfless service to our country. I especially want to thank those from the RCSD family who have served. I appreciate your service above self. 
Community Action Initiative

Last Saturday, nearly 300 stakeholders joined our Community Action Initiative at the Franklin Campus. We engaged in conversations to address violence in our community and its impact on our scholars and schools.

I am excited to report that our Fathers Initiating Restorative Engagement (FIRE) group will be trained next week and ready to greet scholars at schools later this month. At the November 18 Board meeting, I will present more information on the results of this initiative.

Thank you for your participation. Our work is just beginning!
State Monitor Public Hearing

The New York State Monitor appointed to the RCSD is seeking input from the public on updated academic and fiscal plans for the ’21 – ’22 school year. A public hearing will take place on Tuesday, November 16, from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., at Central Office, 131 West Broad Street.

Hearings were conducted in June, July, and November of last year, which focused on governance and intervention, academic performance status, fiscal performance, and other specific academic and fiscal issues. 

The public is asked to provide feedback on updated academic and fiscal plan documents for the ’21 – ’22 school year, which will be available at www.rcsdk12.org/statemonitorhearings.

If you would like to sign up to speak or offer written feedback, you must do so by 12:00 p.m. on November 16. This can be done in one of two ways:
  • Emailing [email protected]
  • Calling the Rochester Board of Education at 585-262-8525 (please indicate whether you plan to attend in person or virtually)
131 W. Broad Street, Rochester, NY 14614 | 585-262-8100