Rochester city officials and community leaders came together today in what ROC The Future calls its "Our Children...Our Future" Campaign. They're adding their support to those calling for a complete overhaul of the Rochester City School District, or as they put it: "systemic and transformational" change.
ROC The Future sent a letter to State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and the State Board of Regents, saying the current leadership of the City School District is broken and has to be replaced.
RTF Chairman Ajuma Kitwana says they're not talking about a state or city takeover... but community involvement in the changes they say have to come.
Rochester School Board President Van White says he was left out of the conversation, and criticized the letter for not offering any specific solutions. Teachers Union President Adam Urbanski criticized the group for not seeking the opinion of teachers.
The State Education Department is already reviewing the School Board's response to a distinguished educator's report which called for a top-to-bottom overhaul of the city school system.