City Newspaper Archives - 4/2008
EDUCATION: Brizard makes staff changes
Published by Tim Louis Macaluso on Apr 09, 2008
Brizard is preparing to announce a sweeping change in reporting structure, one that mirrors the district's three school choice zones - Northeast, Northwest, and South. Three cabinet-level executives will be responsible for the schools and principals in each of the three zones. Cheryl Holloway and Connie Leech, currently responsible for elementary and secondary-level education, will fill two of the three positions.
A new position, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning, has been filled by Marilyn Patterson-Grant. Under Grant are 13 directors, each responsible for an area of student curriculum such as math, literacy, and science. The directors will coach principals and teachers on how subjects should be taught within all of the district's schools.
"My time has to be with principals and teachers, not on administration matters," says Brizard. "I'll turn to three people and know exactly what is going on in each of our schools."
Central office staff will be reduced by 15 percent through attrition, says Brizard. An unnamed deputy superintendent will become operations czar.
Board member Willa Powell says the reorganization makes sense.
"Too often too much of the superintendent's day is consumed with operational issues," she says.
Article Photos
Rochester schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard says the district's reorganization will allow him to focus his attention on schools and principals. Photo by Joe Bell.
