Mary Anna: I left some thoughts about Mayor Duffy's proposal re: RCSD after the article on Mayoral Control. Several of us are disappointed that you decided to say "OK" -- with hesitation, of course.....but still. Former Mayor Bill Johnson helped me decide to be against that proposal -- he was on WXXI radio with Bob Smith about a week ago and his experience with the Urban League as well as his years as Mayor give him perspective that many of us just do not have. So....time will tell. I do wish Mayor Duffy would be more direct and tell us just what he proposes to do to achieve his goals. If we become the 18th city in the country to let the Mayor head the school district I will hope that something good is the result. It is not clear that all city mayors have been successful in improving the schools. Does Mayor Duffy have a magic bullet in his pocket?

The wheel doesn't need to be reinvented. We just need to use it. The discussion of school board or mayoral control is missing the mark. What we need to be asking is why are students failing and what needs to be done to change the current outcome. Read the current RTA contract starting with Section 54 through section 57. You can find it online at www.rochesterteachers.com/contract/contract/html. If you are ambitious read the entire 170 page document. Add additional reading in best education practice. I suggest books written by William Glasser, M.D. as a place to start. The problem, in my experience, is not the will but the knowing how to achieve what the RTA contract spells out. In 1996 I challenged Manuel Rivera to give me an opportunity to work with the worst performing school in the RCSD. In May of 1996 he agreed to have me work with the staff and parents at School 33. The New York State Field Service Team had given notice that 33 school was in jeopardy of loosing certification. The outcome can be read in articles written about the success of 33 in the years following the implementation of a School Improvement plan as described in the RTA contract. This plan involved the entire community. "It takes an entire Community" to help our children succeed. This can happen in every one of our school.

What would help to improve outcomes of entire community involvement would be a closer relationship between the School Board and the Mayor and City Council. I have some ideas but will stop here for now.

The ultimate compromise will need the following two elements:

1. An elected school board
2. Greater control over the School District budget by the Mayor and City Council

The following elements will naturally follow:
1. Consolidation of services and expenditures where appropriate
2. Mandatory improvement in student performance

Now, some people seem to think that this compromise is impossible but believe that somehow, Bob Duffy, the magical mayor, will quickly improve student performance.

THERE ARE NO MAGIC FIXES.

This compromise is possible, but first Morelle and Gantt have to stop licking their chops over the big money involved.