19th Ward Schools Committee
7:00 pm, February 1, 2022

Present by Zoom: Joe Baldino, John Boutet, Jane Braband, Douglas Giebel, Lee Loomis, Phyllis Moss, Jay and Dan Ross, Sarah Yaworsky.

Dr. Phyllis Moss, chair of the committee, began the meeting by having the participants introduce themselves.

School 29 Report: Joe Baldino reported on School 29. He indicated that the NY State Education Board mandates will make some changes at School 29 inevitable. He and the school staff are still hoping they can maintain their current location with implementation of building improvements that are needed to meet state standards. He indicated that many on the Rochester City School Board oppose the plan of Superintendent Myers-Smalls to close the school down, and are compassionate about providing for the students with special physical needs. He noted keeping these students at School 29 would save the city schools the expense of transferring special needs students to a Boces program. Dan Ross has written a position paper, with editorial input from the group, expressing opposition to the Superintendent’s plan and offering alternative solutions. This position paper has been submitted to the appropriate public school officials.

Meeting Schedule/Contact List: Phyllis reported that she is planning to put together a meeting schedule with contact persons at the four elementary schools including the dates when their Community Engagement Teams meet. Questions were raised as to whether the Wilson Magnet School and Wilson Foundation Academy are also 19th Ward schools that we should be supporting. It was agreed they should be, but that the most urgent efforts are currently needed for the four elementary schools, 10, 16, 19 and 29.

19WCA Newsletter: Phyllis mentioned it would be helpful if we could write position papers and send them to be published in the 19WCA Newsletter, with a goal of having something published each month. Dan Ross agreed to send for publication in the Newsletter the position paper that he has written, with editorial input from the Schools Committee, on the possible closing of School 29. Douglas and Charlotte Giebel will also write something promoting participation in the 19th Ward Spelling Bee.

School 10 Tutoring: Lee Loomis expected that the tutoring program that he has spearhead will likely have to be done on-line this year because of the Covid restrictions in place. Jane Braband indicated that she has been quickly approved to do tutoring in the public schools and she indicated her interest in tutoring at School 10.Spelling Bee: Douglas Giebel reported that the University of Rochester appears willing to host the spelling bee as they have traditionally done, provided the Covid circumstances don't take a turn for the worse. If the bee is on their campus, we expect it will be conducted on a Saturday early in April so that the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity can run the bee before their semester concludes. Three Saturday practices with ample tutors available have been offered, but haven’t yet had any students join the practices. Zoom spelling bee practices are currently planned for Saturdays at 1:00pm, with the prospect of adding more when the demand calls for it. A poster with a QR code to help the students access the practice is being circulated to the teachers and principals of the schools involved.

Local Bussing: John Boutet gave information about the efforts to achieve local busing of students who live within 1/4 mile of their school. The objective is to support community-based schools by reducing the distance students must live to qualify. John highlighted past efforts at local busing, including one that was privately funded for School 17. At Phyllis’ suggestion John agreed to send written documents of the efforts that have been made to convince administrators and legislators of the wisdom and financial efficiency of local busing plans. He cited Brighton’s busing plan, which adjusts distances reasonably based upon the age and physical capabilities of the students involved. Brighton will bus grades K-2 students who live 1/8 mile or more from school; grades 3-5students who live 1/4 mile or more from school; grades 6-12 students who live 3/4 mile or more from school.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00pm.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Douglas Giebel