City Council Amends School Safety Plan and Confirms Dr. Lesli Myers-Small

The Rochester City Council convened on July 23 for a meeting that addressed two key issues. The first matter of discussion centered around amendments to a school safety plan and the confirmation of Dr. Lesli Myers-Small as the PAB Executive Director.

City Council recently addressed two important issues, namely amendments to a school safety plan and the confirmation of Dr. Lesli Myers-Small as the PAB Executive Director. One significant outcome of the meeting was the City Council's endorsement of a proposal to station officers at select RCSD schools during arrival and dismissal times throughout the summer and upcoming school year. However, this approved proposal comes with a significantly higher cost of $861,000 compared to the initial plan of $90,000, which only covered the summer period.

Councilmember Patterson expressed concerns about the mandated safety plan, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the city council and the school district to devise effective safety measures. This opposition raised concerns about potential overreach and highlighted the need for a collaborative approach.

During the meeting, Councilmember Mary Lupien proposed an amendment to allow RCSD to collaborate with the city on a holistic community safety plan, focusing on violence prevention and intervention without relying solely on the police. However, this amendment was not successful. Lupien emphasized the importance of expanding violence prevention initiatives, including the city's Pathways to Peace program, which supports the social-emotional development of students beyond managing their behavior. Despite some support from RCSD board members and a majority of the city council, Lupien's amendment was officially withdrawn due to concerns about the legal mandate of the city over the district. The original plan was ultimately approved with just one dissenting vote from City Councilmember Stanley Martin.

Another notable development was the confirmation of Dr. Lesli Myers-Small as the PAB Executive Director. Myers-Small, previously serving as the superintendent of the Rochester City School District, was appointed as the interim executive director on June 24, pending confirmation from the Rochester City Council. However, concerns were raised regarding the council's understanding of its role and influence over the PAB. Critics argued that the lack of clear delineation of responsibilities could hinder effective oversight and governance.

To address these concerns, the council has expressed the need for legal guidance to clarify their influence over the PAB. They believe that this step is essential in ensuring transparency and accountability. Supporters believe this demonstrates the council's commitment to good governance and their desire to avoid any misunderstandings in the decision-making processes.