Mary Wilmot Challenges Alesi on School Control Issue
By Mike Connery on 07/13/2010 @ 02:28 PM
Earlier today, Mary Wilmot took a stand for the children of Rochester and challenged James Alesi over his hypocrisy on a hot local issue - mayoral control of the schools. Alesi has voted for mayoral control in other parts of the state when it suited him politically, but has flip-flopped on Rochester's school children, effectively locking them in to a dysfunctional school system that isn't working. Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle was on hand to report on her statement, the full text of which can be found below:
“Fewer than half of the students who entered these doors four years ago graduated this year. When New York City’s Mayor asked for Jim Alesi’s vote on Mayoral Control in New York City, Jim raised his hand and said yes. I don’t know how much Jim knows about New York City and its school system, but he should know about the need for reform in the Rochester City School District.
When Mayor Duffy asked Jim Alesi to support School Governance Reform in Rochester Jim told the Democrat & Chronicle that he had “grave concerns about destabilizing the system.” No explanation, no better idea, no nothing. Why not destabilize a system that demonstrates year after year it is already broken? I can’t imagine anyone would consider a district with a 46% graduation rate worth preserving. The students need the status quo to be to be shaken up, to be reformed and restructured so more kids who walk in our schools eventually walk out in a cap and gown.
We need accountability and we need reform in the City School District. Our students deserve that. Defending a 46% graduation rate by inaction and indifference does not serve the interests of the students. The State Assembly has already adopted School Governance Reform in Rochester; the bill will now be presented to our State Senate. I challenge Mr. Alesi to put aside special interests and to finally speak up for our children. Be a leader, Mr. Alesi, and do the right thing for the students of the Rochester City School District, stand up for Rochester’s kids and proudly vote yes for School Governance Reform in Rochester, like you already did in New York City.”
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