RCSD consultant no longer coming to Rochester

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - The New York State Department of Education has rescinded the appointment of a state-mandated consultant to the Rochester City School District.

Dr. Kenneth Eastwood will no longer be consulting the district on how to improve in various areas.

The hope was to put the Rochester City School District on a level playing field with other schools.

"I think the ELA and Math scores, which are other performance objectives we look at, those numbers have not moved up,” said Rochester City School Board President Van White. “Far too many of our students are not reading at proficiency level."

The state-mandated consultant was expected to help change that.

White said he was surprised by the state's decision, because he said negotiations were moving forward and only lasted a week.

"Commissioner (MaryEllen) Elia has legal authority here, and we also recognize she and Chancellor (Betty) Rosa are looking at best interest of our students, staff and families," said White.

Eastwood was appointed to the role last month.

The decision came after Eastwood and the district could not come to an agreement with the school board on the terms of his contract.

"While this is extremely disappointing, Commissioner Elia and Chancellor Rosa determined it is in the best interest of Rochester's students to rescind the appointment at this time," New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said in a statement.

Eastwood was scheduled to start working at the district on April 25.

"We have a responsibility to the taxpayers, citizens and staff to make sure whenever you enter into a contract, it is fair to the taxpayers,” said White. “We make no apologies for negotiating on behalf of our citizens a contract that is fair not only to Dr. Eastwood but to the entire community."

Elia cited a "myriad of issues" leading to "fiscal, operational, and instructional challenges" that lead to poor learning for students in the district. The district is one of only five in the state in which 20 percent or more of the schools are in receivership. At the high school level, only one district performed at a lower level than Rochester on the combined ELA and math Performance Index during the 2017 state testing.

White said he's open to a new person named to the role, but believes it will take more than one person and unconventional approaches to turn the failing schools around.

"I don't think the Board of Education by itself can do this,” said White. “With Rochester, it's literally going to take the village."

Eastwood served as a superintendent of schools in the Oswego and Middletown City School Districts for nearly 20 years.

The State Education Department will now conduct a nationwide search for another consultant. There's no word yet on when the search will start.