SWCC Education Committee Minutes 2022-01-26

The Education Committee of the SW Common Council

Wednesday, 1/26/2022

6-7:30 pm at

For Zoom Link for future meetings contact John Boutet <jboutet@frontiernet.net>

Here is a pdf of the minutes: SWCC Education Committee Minutes 2022-01-26.pdf

Here is a Video of this meeting: https://youtu.be/B5WPzTuU6gE

Attendance:

Lila Alshehri Student Niagra University, 490-5542, lalsheh0@mail.naz.edu,

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

Mary Coffey N. Winton Village Co-Chair; Many Neighbors Building Neighborhoods; Public Safety, marycoffey0@gmail.com

Eleanor Coleman CFC YouthBuild, Rotary SW, 224-5119, eleanor.coleman@gmail.com

Fantasia Hunt World Mission Society Church of God, Volunteer Services, fantasiahunt@zionusa.org

Lentory Johnson Light the Way/Legacy Pk Sta, 749-3494, lentoryjohnson89@gmail.com

Lee Loomis School #10 Volunteer Tutor, leeloomis46@gmail.com

Amy Maloy RCSD School Board Commissioner, 214-9850, amy.maloy@rcsdk12.org

Mia Sinclair School #16 Community Coordinator, mia.sinclair2@rcsdk12.org

Courtney Thomas Malik’s Office, Exec Staff Assistant, 428-6684, Courtney.Thomas@CityofRochester.gov

Welcome & Introductions

Quick Update of School News

Superintendent's proposal to close schools and restructure, as written, is not receiving support from Board.
- Original plan did not have community/parent input. Also, did not address how we are going to help curtail drop in enrollment.
- Managed choice and want for neighborhood schools was not addressed in the original plan either. Data presented is not clear.
- New plan to be written. Commissioners went to schools and it is clear that building leaders need to be part of any plan proposed.
- School #7 is one of the most successful schools; closing it is not reasonable. They draw from the neighborhood - that should be tapped into. Rochester International Academy, which has been successful, does also not fare well in the plan. There is no consideration being given to established community resource support for individual schools.
- Current plan allows charter schools to come in and draw students.
- We are the 3rd poorest district in the nation; education is crucial.
- Stop using poverty as an excuse; decline of programming has had a significant impact. How do we create social capital opportunities for our students?
  - No languages studied, except Spanish; what about Mandarin or Arabic?
  - Trades have been taken away; these are a key to a successful life for many children.
  - Every year, more and more resources and support services are cut.
- Every other school district invests a portion of their budget into the school food service program; we use state reimbursement as the only method for feeding our children. Suggesting that $1 million be added to the budget to provide healthy, culturally supported, farm-to-table food.
- Generational poverty - Students argued at the state level that they need to know how to buy a home, applying for a mortgage, financial planning, etc.
- Extra school space could be used by agencies to provide services.
- Is economic inequality a form of redlining?

Local Busing Update

Assembly seems to be more receptive this year to reworking busing requirements.
Worked with Mayor Warren and Caterina Leone to look at Safety Zones in connection with busing; Mayor Warren recommended that we use “equity” as a viable issue.

Rochester Coalition for Public Education News

Staying focused on RASE Forum and how to ensure that the findings are addressed.
Generally meet on Fridays, 4pm; frequently twice a month. There is a meeting this Friday, January 28th, 4:00 – 5:30pm. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89591552083 Meeting ID: 895 9155 2083 . For more information contact Dan Drmacich at dandrmacich123@gmail.com or Howard Maffucci HowardMaffucci@gmail.com.

Walk-in Items

Where do we stand with lead poisoning? Pediatricians are the front-line for addressing this.
John B. will invite NYS Senators and Assembly-persons to attend these meetings. John sent extensive information about local busing needs to Jen Lunsford and Demond Meeks spoken to at AQE/Citizen Action Education Committee meetings.
Fantasia offered her church’s help in addressing quality of life needs.
School #16 - focused on parent engagement and getting community resources into the school; this week, nurse will be presenting strategies to parents on keeping their children safe in these times.