The drop in graduation rates may have helped Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard convince Rochester School Board members last night to accept his recommendations for one of the largest school overhauls in the district's history.

In a presentation marked with urgency, Brizard spelled out his reasons for closing eight of the district's lowest performing schools and opening new ones - including a charter school. He also wants to restructure some schools, which would result in more elementary schools with grades K-8, and more high schools with grades 9-12.

All seven board members attended the meeting and agreed that they should vote formally on the plan at their March 25 board meeting. But that was after Brizard answered hours of lengthy questions.

Several board members questioned why some of the schools couldn't be improved instead of closed.

Franklin's reputation is so poor that it would take too long, Brizard said. And new schools give principals a chance to hire new teachers.

Board member Van White was concerned that the public wasn't being given an opportunity for input on the plan. But Brizard stressed that the public's perception of the Franklin and Edison schools, which are among those to be closed, is already clear.

"Parents are not choosing them," he said.

Board member Cynthia Elliott challenged the need to create K-8 elementary schools. But Brizard said that parents favor K-8 schools. More students stay in elementary schools with seventh and eighth grades, he said, citing School 58 as an example.

Though board members still have to approve the final plan later this month, Brizard's biggest victory may have been his ability to convince them that bold and radical changes are esssential if there is any hope of improving graduation rates.

For once, everyone seemed to agree.