If there is to be another push for mayoral control of Rochester public schools, do not expect to find Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy on the front line.
“My role has changed. It is not my job to lead this effort in any way,” said the city’s former mayor. “It is only to help and assist at that point” there is consensus among local leaders.
Duffy waged what became a divisive 2010 campaign to change how city schools are governed. Leaving office a year ago, he said his successor — who was unknown at the time — should support such a change and that he, as lieutenant governor, would work from Albany to get the legislation passed in the Senate.
Nothing happened until Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, announced this week that he plans to introduce mayoral control legislation in the upcoming legislative session, which officially begins next week.
The 2010 bill called for the elimination of the elected school board and the installation of the mayor as head of the district. It also called for the appointment of a nine-member education commission and councils of district parents to conduct hearings, comment on policy and budget matters, and evaluate the superintendent.
