By a split vote, the Rochester City Council approved Mayor Lovely Warren’s plan for a November referendum on a temporary state takeover of city schools.
The vote was five-to-three with one abstention. The measure amends the city charter to allow the referendum in which city voters will decide whether to ask the state for a five-year takeover of the Rochester City School District. Such a takeover is not guaranteed, and would require agreement of the State Department of Education. Mayor Lovely Warren is hoping for an overwhelming vote in favor that would help convince the state to act.
Assemblyman Harry Bronson has his own plan for fixing what’s wrong with the city schools…and the Rochester School District is also waiting for the state’s response on its own school reform plan, based on the Distinguished Educator’s report.