The D&C reports that:

"The Rochester Board of Education has voted to close School 44 on Chili Avenue.

The remaining question is: When?

The decision, to close the Lincoln Park School at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on July 29, leaves the date for closure of the facility open-ended; and some concern was expressed by Commissioner Mary Adams.

Adams says with the closure of School 16 for modernization, there’s a lack of facilities in the southwest area of the city in the foreseeable future.

“School 16 is not available. There are no other facilities where people can send their child in the 19th Ward right now. The problem is the lack of physical capacity for early age students in that neighborhood,” Adams said.

Anita Murphy, the deputy superintendent for Administration and Operations said: “We don’t know yet and need some more time to figure out what facility those students would go into, and at what time. Depending on Phase II legislation, (School) 16 would be on the docket for the beginning of Phase II legislation. So, we’re recommending closing the facility and giving ourselves some time to understand what’s going to happen in Phase II with the legislation before a firm decision is made.”

“I remain concerned regarding the actual access of facilities in that neighborhood and how that could align with or fail to align with our emphasis on transportation efficiencies and building neighborhood schools as a priority,” Adams said.

Board of Education President Malik Evans said he shares Adams’ concerns, but also supports the resolution, saying the district is responsible to find a facility to place School 44 to prevent a squeeze if School 16 isn’t available as the district’s Facilities Modernization Plan moves forward.

“We should not be closing it (School 44) until we know what’s going on with Phase II legislation,” Evans said.

Adams said the open-ended closure in the resolution means the school could close anywhere from the end of the next 2013-14 school year to 2020-21 school year. And she’s heard from parents who have already decided to leave the district because of the unpredictability of the availability of seats in those schools."