RCSD Seeks Community Input as Seven Rochester Schools Remain Under State Receivership

Rochester City School District is asking parents, families and community members to weigh in on improvement efforts at seven city schools operating under New York state's receivership program.

The district is holding a series of public hearings during August and September where school leaders will discuss their progress, outline improvement efforts and gather feedback from stakeholders.

The seven RCSD schools currently listed under receivership are Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7, Dr. David and Ruth Anderson Academy School No. 16, Henry Hudson School No. 28, Dr. Iris J. Banister School No. 33, Edison Career and Technology High School, James Monroe High School and East Lower School.

Receivership is part of a state intervention process for schools that have struggled to meet academic performance standards. Under the state law that took effect in 2015, schools designated as struggling or persistently struggling are required to demonstrate significant academic improvement. Schools that fail to meet required targets can ultimately be placed under the control of an outside receiver.

For Rochester families, the designation places renewed attention on whether improvement strategies are producing measurable results — and what additional changes may be necessary.

According to RCSD, each receivership school holds an annual public hearing to share its progress with the school community and gather input from parents and other stakeholders.

The first hearing was held Aug. 27 at Dr. Iris J. Banister School No. 33. Hearings were also scheduled for Dr. David and Ruth Anderson Academy on Sept. 15 and East Lower School on Sept. 17.

Four meetings remain:

• Edison Career & Technology High School: Sept. 24, 4 to 6 p.m.

• Henry Hudson School No. 28: Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m.

• James Monroe High School: Sept. 25, 4:30 p.m.

• Virgil I. Grissom School No. 7: Sept. 30, 6 p.m.

The hearings come as RCSD continues to operate under significant state oversight of its academic and financial planning. State Monitor Jaime Alicea works with the district on academic and fiscal plans, while the district has separately sought community feedback on its broader strategic direction.

A recent state monitor annual report also identified continuing challenges involving receivership schools. The report said RCSD had made efforts to gather feedback about district-level barriers preventing those schools from making demonstrable improvement, including issues involving student placement, special education practices, transportation and staffing. The report classified that particular recommendation as only partially implemented.

Those challenges make the upcoming hearings more than a procedural requirement. They provide families and community members an opportunity to question what is working, what is not and what additional resources or changes individual schools may need.

The district says residents who cannot attend a hearing can still submit written feedback by email.

The receivership process also carries potentially significant consequences. State law requires schools in the program to demonstrate progress toward established targets, with the possibility of outside intervention if sufficient improvement is not achieved.

For RCSD, the immediate challenge will be translating improvement plans and community feedback into sustained academic gains at schools that have struggled for years.

Additional information about the district's receivership schools, including continuation plans and quarterly reports, is available through the RCSD Receivership Schools and Innovation page.