More than 250 people from about a dozen different parent, activist, and labor groups gathered outside City Hall last night to protest Mayor Bob Duffy's plans for taking control of the city school district.

In addition to members of the Rochester Teachers Association and BENTE - unions that represent school district employees - members of the police, fire, and municipal workers unions were also among the protesters, many chanting "City Council take a stand, Mayor Duffy has no plan."

Another sign said, "Molly Clifford for school superintendent," playing off a recent controversy that saw Clifford appointed as director of fire administration. The appointment raised eyebrows because Clifford is a longtime political ally of Mayor Duffy.

"He's trying to ram this down the community's throat," said John Pavone, RTA vice president. "This has nothing to do with test scores or graduation rates. This is about money. He is going to try to balance his budget on the backs of city children."

The follow-the-money theme was repeated by Dan Clemente, president of BENTE.

"Just look at the way this same group of politicians spent all that money on Ren Square," he said. "And somehow we're supposed to believe that Duffy is going to be more accountable. That's why the MOE [Maintenance of Effort law] was put in place, to protect the district."

About 10 protesters in support of mayoral control were also present.

"I'm against all school boards," said Joe Klein, founder of Klein Steel Services. "I think the Rochester School Board is made up of good people who care about children, but they are micromanaging [Superintendent] Jean-Claude Brizard and preventing him from making the real changes he wants to make."

Standing to one side of the crowd, former School Board member Tom Brennan said he was glad to see the turnout, but wondered where people were six months ago.

Brennan was particularly vocal about his opposition to mayoral control while on the School Board, and often said Duffy wasn't being candid about his intentions.