The Education Committee of the SW Common Council  

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

6:30 to 8:00 pm at

Arnett Branch Library, 310 Arnett Boulevard

Minutes Posted on:  http://www.location19.org/group/sw-education-forum

Attendance:

John Boutet SWCC Education Committee Chair, 328-4271, jboutet@frontiernet.net 

Eleanor Coleman OACES & ProsperRochester, Inc. 224-5119, eleanor.coleman@gmail.com

Robin Dettman Grade Schools for All, Volunteer, 615-5311, rjedu@aol.com 

Olivia Kim Local 19th Ward Artist355-0706, oliviakimart@hotmail.com    

Bill Nichthauser 19th Ward Resident, School #44 Volunteer, 235-0851, inky389@frontiernet.net 

John Laing 19th Ward Schools Committee Chair, Volunteer @ Schools #16, #44, jlaing1@rochester.rr.com

Jennifer Lenio Rochester Public Libraries (South District), 428-8272, jlenio@libraryweb.org 

Candace Rubin AQE/Political Action/RTA, 520-6542, stillwandering@yahoo.com 

Beverly Usher School #44 Volunteer, PTO VP, 730-7833, scarymovies63@yahoo.com 

AQE/Metro Justice - Review of Albany Lobbying Trip

Beverly and John attended legislative visit in Albany.  Candice from AQE also attended and touched on visit with Morele’s office where she explained why we need more aid for the school districts.  Bronson visit went well; wants to close gap between what we’ve been promised and what we’ve received from the CFC lawsuit.   

Unable to meet with David Gantt - too busy.  Sent representatives who spent a lot of time with group.  Can’t get us the whole $1.3 million owed School $44, but possibly can get a portion of that.  Money is reportedly released but there is a “middle man” that actually makes it available.  Not clear who that is.

Frustrated that schools are being closed yet other schools are being revitalized.  

John B. advocated for Short-Distance Busing.  Cynthia Elliott has been instrumental in getting legislation pushed through w/ Gantt.  Previously, reduction of the minimum reimbursable distance to 1/2 mile has gone through the Assembly, but not the Senate and vice-versa.  Any reduction in the reimbursable distance is sought but not having a minimum is ideal.  School safety is impacted by bringing together East and West sides of town.

Update on Interim Superintendent Linda Cimusz

Good article in Buffalo News is posted in Location19.  Came here to be Chief of Staff; stepping in as Interim Superintendent after Interim Superintendent Lowengard’s stroke.  All news is that she is cooperative, collaborative and humble. 

Wilson H.S. hosting Facilities Modernization Plan (FMP) - Public Meeting next Tuesday (1/26), 6-7:30 p.m.  Hopefully Cimusz will be there. Meeting is a repeat of recent School #22 meeting and will focus on Facilities Modernization Plan (FMP).

Update on School 16 and 44 

School #16 - FMP Public Meeting at #22 announced School #16 is one of the first 4 school to be renovated under the Phase 2 plan.  That was not news for us on School 16; the start of Phase 2 has taken a year Longer than we had hoped.  At FMP meeting Mike Schmitt said Superintendent changes should not impact progress.

School #44 - group of ladies volunteered to make place-mats for the 6th grade graduates.  Have all the tires needed for the obstacle course; tires need to be painted and polyurethaned - contact Beverly Usher if you can help.  After-school volunteer support always welcome; School 44 operating until 5 p.m.

Local Lobbying Effort

Ranzenhofer’s local office is on Genesee St. and we need to connect with him around the busing issue.  He does push for more money to urban schools.  Also need to lobby the other local Assembly and Senators.  Central Office does appear to support neighborhood schools which reduces busing costs.  Healthi Kids also supportive of neighborhood schools as it’s been difficult to promote the Walking School Bus and other neighborhood initiatives when most of the children don’t live in the neighborhood.

This Saturday, 3-5, Education Meeting at Metro Justice, 803 West Ave to discuss lobbying strategies and parent training.

What about reaching out to the press?  John B. and other 19th Ward neighbors met with Justin Murphy of the D&C last week at Brue Coffee.  He wanted to know how can newspaper better report on education issues?  Diane Watkins , President of 19thWCA, also attended.

Candace mentioned that she’ll be going to legislative events soon; recommended John B. approach Adam Urbanski to request lobbying support as District and Governor seem to be supporting neighborhood schools.

Little Free Library and Free Books Update

Need more little libraries; cost of materials needed to build the libraries is factor as is person-power to actually build them.

Handing books out at the Thurston YMCA and the laundromat next door.

SW Libraries

1/25, 6-7 @ Wheatley - Dealing with Debt Collectors, Consumer Credit Counseling

1/22, 11-4 @ Arnett - Affordable Care Act Health Navigator

Lots of activities for teens in February, including job preparedness activities (interview attire, how to tie a tie, business etiquette, starting your own business, etc.), Craft Night (2/10, 3:30-5:30), Job Corps (2/2, 5pm), Summer Employment (2/1 & 2/5, 4:30-5:30), How to Start Your Own Business (2/10, 4 p.m.), etc.

2/13, 12-1 is next music series at Arnett featuring Nuthin but Treble

Contact Phillis Wheatley (428-8212) and Arnett Library (428-8214) for complete listings of library programming; also, go to www.locationSW.org 

Walk-in item

Spelling Bee practice sessions every Saturday from 10-11 at Arnett.  Actual Spelling Bee is April 9, at 1 p.m. Hubbell Auditorium @ UR.

Process to select new superintendent is underway.