Mayor Evans keeping a close eye on RCSD Superintendent separation agreement

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Rochester Mayor Malik Evans says he’s keeping a close eye on the separation agreement between the city school district, and current Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small.

News10NBC heard from the Mayor Thursday about what he thinks the district needs to do to assure students have tools for success. Evans says the Rochester City School District is a challenge for our community, but it’s one as a community we all have to figure out how to fix.

"I don’t run it, but I need it fixed because if we don’t fix it we will continue to talk about these problems that we’re having today," said Evans.

The Mayor made the correlation that the city’s violent gun crimes can be tied to the problems with the city’s school district. Evans says the district needs stability, as the school board continues with its separation agreement with Myers-Small.

"The average superintendent time is 2.5 years. That’s crazy, we have to find ways in which we set up superintendents to be successful in challenging situations. This is a problem around the country," said Evans.

Myers-Small was only 2 years into her 4-year contract. Before taking the job, the district had 8 different superintendents including interim ones in the last 12 years.

"You have to bring in a leader that’s at least going to give it 3 to 4 years. 5 years because all of that changes things, and that affects us," said Evans.

He also says one of the biggest challenges and concerns with the district is its ongoing financial issues.

"That’s costing us money right now. So we need to make sure that those assets are protected because anything the school district does affects me. In a real way. Dollars, and cents way," said Evans.

The Mayor says he’s willing to work with the school board in any way.

"I need to know who those partners are going to be, but I am willing to work with them. To help them do whatever we can to help because we’re all in this together, Lord knows what happens over there effects my bond rating, and all you tax payers. So that’s why anybody who lives in this community better care what happens at 131 West Broad Street. You better care, because it’s gonna affect your tax rate."

News10NBC continues to reach out to other school district leaders, state education leaders, and even some local parent groups regarding the superintendent, but haven’t heard back from them.