Thinking Local: Mayoral Control

oSo today Mayor Bob J. Duffy of Rochester, my hometown, came to church today. Now I am not a christian nor do a socially agree with almost any of their viewpoints, but there are times where certain family members use their "influence" to make you go. But let's not tarry on this subject. Lets talk about what he talked about.

First up was the Bishop and Pastor of the church, Jeffrey Melvin of Power House Kingdom Cathedral. A blue-dog who cares mostly about the well-being of dependents like seniors and children. He feels that mayoral control is a good change. "People use the school board as a stepping stone into politics " he said before welcoming the mayor on the floor. As I looked over at the mayor he had a microexpressive smile on his face and slightly nodded his head in support. Though the mayor couldnt say this, he was thinking the same thing.

After the Mayor came to the pulpit and started speaking to the congregation, he mimicked a water down version of the Pastor's redirect saying that the School Board was not doing the job we needed them to do. He also went on to attack the Teachers unions, saying that the president of the Union has more power over the 120 million dollar education system in Rochester than the mayor himself does. "I Just Want to be accountable" was his motto for his 10-15 minute address.

A"New York City has a million kids in their school system, we have 30,000.....I Just want 4 or 5 years to test this."

He was also quick to show his support for David F. Gantt, the assemblyman who notably is heading up this campaign for mayoral control.

All of your assemblymen and State senators have voted for Mayoral control in New York City not once but twice" Duffy toted. Like Rochester, New York City's graduation rate was below 50% before mayoral control and Duffy believes that Rochester will see the dropout rate cut in half after the test is over.

A bill is supposed to be released by this Friday and in two months it would be scheduled to get voted on.

Opinion

Rochester City School graduation rate is at 46%. Duffy is Correct. RCSD has hit rock bottom, or it will if nothing is done. 70% of crimes were committed by a high school dropout last year in the city. In order to curb the violence you must get the dropouts.

Though i feel that once the Mayor gains control which he probably by the end of this year, he needs a few things done.

1. Trickled down the power: The Mayor Should let every school create their own budgets but this doesnt mean the principle has a blank check, each subject department needs to be accountable on test scores and fiscally accountable. So every teacher in every department would formulate their budget and submit it to the principle. The Principle would revise these plans and go too the Mayor and sell it to him. Those that have not done well academically the year before would either get fired or lose privileges of creating their own budget, and that trickles down all the way down to each department. Teachers want to be responsible? well here they are.
2. Charter Schools: it's safe to say that we NEED more Charter Schools or partially privatized schools in the city. Schools that specialize in Science and the arts and can give the select an opportunity to excel.
3. Change the system for applying to Charter Schools: Today, in order to get into a charter school you must submit your name into a lottery and on a wing and a prayer get chosen. How about you take the top 5% in the Arts or sciences and give them an opportunity for interview. Also just because a child was in the Charter school the year before, does not guarantee they will be selected the next year or semester due to lack of effort or achievement.

I don't know i guess that's just what I'm thinking.