I think that Mayor Duffy has done a great job with the rest of the city and cannot wait to see what he can do with the schools. The amount of services that will be available to the students will greatly increase, I'm sure.

Duffy Wants Control of the Rochester City School District (Surprise-Surprise)!

So, it has finally been stated publicly (in accordance with a 12/21/09 D&C Editorial, Robert Duffy wants mayoral control of the Rochester City School District (surprise-surprise)!

I (for one, and I’m sure many others, have some very serious issues and problems regarding the specifics of the above referenced article, in which the “great revelation” was made public). The article, which is filled with half-baked ideas and pure nonsense, can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091221/OPINION04/912210317/1041/OPINION/Rochester-mayor-should-form-plan-for-overseeing-school-district

The very first point that people need to understand is that (regardless of how rich he may be, and regardless of what the D&C editors may think) --- the erroneous, in fact libelous assertion that under Michael Bloomberg, there has been widespread, sustainable, fundamental change and improvement in New York City’s public schools --- is just that (an erroneous and libelous assertion). In fact, as you are reading this --- there are thousands of disgruntled and dissatisfied parents, students, educators and others organizing, and literally protesting in the streets of New York City --- because of Bloomberg’s decisions regarding schools, including decisions to close a number of schools.

The D&C does a great disservice by presenting simplistic, less than accurate, uninformed, so-called analyses (based apparently on what they have heard from the well- oiled and well-financed Bloomberg-propaganda-machine, or what they have read in the New York Times and/or other such publications).

The facts are that thousands upon thousands of New York City students are continuing to experience deprivation regarding the lack of adequate and appropriate educational opportunities --- just as they were prior to the so-called Bloomberg take-over. I repeat, for thousands upon thousands of New York City students --- fundamentally, nothing has changed under Bloomberg. Therefore, we can safely conclude that if Michael Bloomberg’s efforts in New York City represent the model upon which Duffy will base his so-called educational reform ideas --- then failure is probably imminent.

Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, we don’t necessarily need to be studying / borrowing ideas from other broken-down public education systems and models. Overall, there aren’t any really outstanding, full-fledged models of successful urban education systems in the entire nation. Common sense alone dictates that if such systems did exist, we (at least educators) would all be aware of them, and would be working night and day to understand their functioning. Even if such models did exist (mainly because of specific differences regarding political, demographic and other local elements and factors) --- it is always very, very problematic and difficult to successfully transplant educational ideas and strategies (no matter how good they may be) form one system to another. I believe that the current Superintendent of Rochester Schools, as well as many before him, will attest to this fact. We have known for many years that one ingredient of successful educational reform is authenticity (based on local circumstances, conditions, and proper / efficient utilization of local resources). With regard to the latter point, this represents an area in which the Rochester City School District has failed miserably, that is, not effectively and/or efficiently tapping and utilizing the huge reservoir of human knowledge and expertise that exists locally. Instead, the general preference has been to go looking elsewhere for high-priced, generally ineffective “experts”, consultants and advisors of every hue and stripe.

Secondly, there is in some cases a subtle, and in other cases very pronounced, but also fundamentally flawed, erroneous and baffling, widespread belief that Robert Duffy is doing a great job of running the city. How could this possibly be --- when double-digit unemployment in certain sectors of Rochester has remained constant for each of the last four years that he has been in office, and illegal drugs and weapons (the latter of which youth at younger and younger ages are using to annihilate each other, often on a daily basis) --- flow through Rochester like water from High Falls? Also, while it doesn’t take a genus to understand that “graduation rates correlate directly to crime in the city” or anywhere else for that matter --- thinking-people are aware of the fact that deep-seated, rampant, violent, crime cannot be solely explained by or ascribed totally to low graduation rates. There are much larger and deeper factors at play, which also represent underlying reasons for the low graduation rate. Even if this was not the case, the idea that Duffy “envisions a school district with more after-school programs and schools that are open on weekends for community use” --- is far from a solution regarding low graduation and high crime rates. In fact, it would be interesting to see what types of enticements or incentives would be utilized to get huge numbers of students who routinely do not attend school during the regular school day --- to attend after school programs, and if they do --- it would be even more interesting and enlightening to see how after school programs would be structured differently than the regular school day --- to the extent that it would result in significant, sustainable, academic, socioeconomic and cultural improvement for sizeable numbers of students, particularly those who are classified as hard-core. Don’t get me wrong --- I believe that expanded access to public school facilities is a step in the right direction, but to view it or present it as a panacea is terribly misguided, and a sure-fire prescription for continued, entrenched, massive failure. Additionally, if the mayor “wants to work with businesses to get more jobs for teenagers” --- what is he waiting for? Many of us have heard this song and dance for so long that we thought such efforts were well underway long ago. Keep in mind that we haven’t even asked the most critical question yet: Where will Duffy’s educational expertise come from? Managing a budget is one thing (although admittedly a very important task) --- budgetary management alone does not automatically translate into quality and/or improved educational outcomes.

Lastly, whether in New York City, Rochester, or any other city --- the idea of mayoral control of city schools is as undemocratic as it can possibly be, and would clearly move us in a direction of fascism (as opposed to so-called democracy). Who is Robert Duffy or Albany lawmakers for that matter --- to dictate to the people of Rochester that he (Duffy) and/or the bumbling-fumbling, largely dysfunctional State Legislature are qualified to choose the people’s representatives at any level of government? If people in the suburbs and rural areas have a right to choose their representatives on Boards of Education, and they do --- then there is no logical, acceptable explanation as to why tax-paying, Constitutionally-protected city residents shouldn’t enjoy the same rights and privileges --- period.

In the final analysis, with regard to the idea of mayoral control of the Rochester City School District --- it is my hope that “Duffy [does get] a chance to have his ideas debated” --- so that we can put his and the all-wise, all-knowing D&C educational czars’ foolishness to rest (once and for all)!

Howard J. Eagle
Education Committee Chairperson
Activists Against Racism Movement (http://aarm.rocus.org; aarm@rocus.org)

Duffy swooped in on Ren Square at the last minute and pretty much put a stop to it. Not sure if I call that doing a good job. He certainly had no intention of working well with Maggie.

And being the former police chief, I thought we could expect something good in terms of lowering crime in the city, but even with zero tolerance, the murders just keep on happening. So again, I'm not sure Duffy is doing a great job.

I am a bit relieved that Duffy is seriously contemplating taking control over the RCSD. It is an end of an era perhaps, but one I welcome. For far too long has the RCSD been run by those who do not have the students' best interest or the City of Rochester's best interest at heart. For years I have watched the RCSD become a dysfunctional country club with a network of people who are only climbing career ladders. I have watched as parents get dismissed, students ignored. I have seen reports get defaced, skewed, and dismissed as irrelevant. I have witnessed the demise of critical thinking skills, best practices lost to the pressures of standardized tests. Enough is enough..... we owe much more to our city youth.
I don't know if Duffy can work miracles, but anything at this point is better than perpetuating the insidious and decitful practices of which we see today in the RCSD.

As a product of the City School District, it kills me to hear people both city and suburb, bitch whine and moan about what the district is or isn't doing..and yet they have not put forth one single plan for improvement. The Mayor really needs to focus on the overall larger problem - CITY CRIME! If I were a child who went to a school in one of our crime filled areas, I'd skip/drop out too. I do believe that the mayor should have SOME say in what happens with the district, but to want total control when he has not put forth any concrete ideas first, No thanks...

I'm not a Democrat but I'm willing to give Duffy some credit. When crime couldn't get too much worse, Duffy made a good Chief of Police; when the city couldn't get too much worse, Duffy made a good Mayor. I cannot possiblably imagine the school system getting worse and I can't imagine Duffy purposfully making them worse; so, let's see where this goes, surely the current system cannot be more corrupt.

Personally I think you could hand over the city schools to Jack the Ripper and they'd be better run. Now all they have to do is get rid of the teachers' union.

Rochester is a city that values its political conquest over educational or economic development. I am sure that favors have been traded and it is a done deal that the Mayor will take control over the RCSD. City residents missed the boat again because the norm has been for city residents to B---TCH, complain and conform. Make no mistake political powers understand that. City resident don't vote based on proper knowledge or the best interest for the community. City residents vote out of fear, favors, and radio shows. The state officials you elected has taken away your power to vote. It will not stop you from electing them again and again. The RCSD does need reform, but did it need a political takeover. It needed teamwork. The Mayor will appoint a board that reflects a political takeover and I am sure that certain RCSD will remain on after the new structure is put in place due to political bargaining. Also I will interested to know, if it is a matter of public record what state officials asisted in moving this agenda item through the floor? City residents better wake up!! I understand city residents frustration and feeling of hopelessness with politics. Humans service agencies, new board members, new staff, consultants, etc. will all benefit from this takeover. This takeover will be like every other initiative a redistribution of funds. The bottom line will be that city children will pay the price. The Mayor stated that he is willing to die on the hill for this project. I hope that we do not have more children dying in the streets as they leave an already broken educational system for a life of crime, when the new and improved doors of their school has nothing to offer them, but empty promises and political favors.

When I think of the racial make-up of RCSD students 85% students of color and 15% white comments like Jack the ripper could do a better job or anybody will do I pause for breath. I struggle to understand why some from white communities believe children of color can get by with anything and any body taking their shot and turn at them.

As a parent non of us would subject our children to a jack the ripper or an unqualified, untested and unproven mayor to produce stellar educational outcomes which is the ultimate goal.
The values that undergird such remarks are transparent at times and sad at the same time.

We get so caught up in defending personalities we like that we put off critical thinking skills that would better serve us. Do you want the neighborhood dogcatcher preparing your food as chef when he has no knowledge or skill of food prep or sanitation?
Would you welcome the roofer guy to take a shot at redoing the plumbing in your house without knowledge, skill set or expertise just because your pipes burst? How about the gardner fix your heating problems because your furnace keeps going out when he has no expertise of knowledge of heating systems?
If not why would any parent subject your most precious gift, your child to a city Mayor to experiment with their education simply because the last guy didn't do it right and was a disappointment?

I hope we can begin more exchanges of thought that makes sense and solves real problems with real solutions. Take overs and experimentation with urban children is not a solution it is insensitive at best and ridiculous at worst. We can do better so lets.

Many questions need to be answered before any mayor gets control of local schools. Those who like Duffy now and want to give HIM control of the schools is one thing. What happens with the next mayor? Will the next mayor want to deal with the schools?

Will the next person who runs for mayor do it ONLY to control the schools? Running the schools seems very different than running a city, are voters even qualified to determine which candidates have the skills and which do not?

I have a child going to public city school and pray the mayor gets control....someone needs to take control .....trying to protect your so called innocent children in these schools that need to be "babysat" by the RPD police on a daily basis is for the birds....this city is a laughing stock that not only us parents cant control the crime in the schools, but the police can no longer control them either and shouldnt have to. I've heard that its safer in jail these days than it is going to a city public school ....but noooo every parent turns their heads as to the innocense of their children....lol