Justin Murphy – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle USA TODAY NETWORK – in the D&C 10/8/21 on page A3
The Rochester City School District Tuesday recommended to the school board that it stop busing students to schools out of the district, including through the Urban-Suburban program and to private, parochial and charter schools located outside city limits.
It was part of a raft of recommendations from an administration task force on student placement and transportation. Approximately 3,500 students could be affected; the only exception would be students with disabilities who are attending programs at BOCES or other suburban locations.
The school board reacted coolly to nearly the entire presentation, including the proposed restoration of junior high schools; an end to busing students to after-school babysitters; and a possible cash incentive for the families of students who attend a neighborhood school and maintain good attendance.
“I don’t understand if the folks on this task force understand the families we actually serve,” board member Beatriz LeBron said. “It sounds like additional barriers and challenges (beyond) what many families are already facing.”