After reports began surfacing over the weekend that the Rochester City School District’s deficit might be as much as $50 million, Congressman Joe Morelle called for a federal investigation of district finances, and newly-appointed RCSD Superintendent Terry Dade released a Twitter video. In it, he did not mention specific numbers. But he said he’s assembled a team of audit and finance personnel and the district will have to make some difficult decisions moving forward.
Dade said he wanted to assure staff he has no plans for layoffs this year.
School Board Commissioner Beatriz Lebron called over the weekend for School Board President Van White to step down along with Commissioner Willa Powell, who chairs the finance committee. Lebron said in a statement that the responsible parties have proven they cannot provide proper oversight.
At the other side of the problem, Congressman Morelle called for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate how the district seemed to be on track, then went off the rails financially. Morelle said this appears to be a “consistent long-term problem that went unaddressed.