ThisIsRochester.com: Schools

Embattled Wayne school board members will stay

June 25, 2019 -- Wayne Central School Board members Steven Gallaher and Dennis Landry will not be removed in the aftermath of accusations they overstepped their positions by gaining access to the unused Freewill Elementary School.

The two, who have been critical of SUperintendent Mathis Calvin, each faced five charges by the district of official misconduct but were found not guilty of misconduct on three charges; the board found them guilty of misconduct related to two charges each.

Wayne superintendent to depart at end of month

June 20, 2019 -- Wayne Central School District Superintendent Mathis Calvin has resigned effective June 30, district officials announced.

Calvin, who has led the district since 2015 and had three years remaining on his contract, did not cite a reason for his departure.

Calvin and the district's school board entered what was termed "a mutual separation agreement."

Vicma Ramos, the superintendent and chief executive officer for the Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services, will serve as the interim superintendent starting July 1.

Rochester schools will offer free home internet access

June 10, 2019 -- The Rochester City School District will offer free home internet access to high school students beginning in September in conjunction with the 1Million Project Foundation.

Every student lacking reliable home internet access will be given a hot spot device with 10 gigabytes of high-speed data per month, then an unlimited amount of data at a slower speed after that.

RCSD Chief Information Officer Annmarie Lehner estimated that more than 4,000 students in grades 9-12 will receive the devices. The mobile hot spots can be used with the students' district-provided Chromebook laptops.

The plan will cost the district nothing and has no end date, with each incoming class of ninth-graders getting hot spots if they need them.

Hundreds of thousands of students across the country receive access through the 3-year-old 1Million Program in cooperation with Sprint.

Mayor wants voters to decide on state takeover of schools

June 7, 2019 -- Mayor Lovely Warren wants voters to decide whether a temporary state takeover of the City School District is needed, announcing that she is seeking a November referendum.

The referendum would be symbolic since it would be up to the New York State Education Department to initiate a takeover. It still would take state legislation to replace the elected board.

City Council could vote to authorize the referendum later this month.

"The people of our city need to be able to decide what is best for our children," Warren said.

Warren is seeking support for a plan floated last month by Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown to replace the elected school board with a state-appointed, five-member interim board for at least five school years.

Webster disciplines students over Snapchat video

June 5, 2019 -- The Webster Central School District has disciplined students after a Snapchat video surfaced this weekend showing the students singing along to a song that included "racially offensive language" hile en route to the junior prom.

According to a statement, the district held restorative sessions involving Webster Schroeder administrators, concerned students and the students who produced the video.

District officials said they can't comment further on the disciplinary action that will take place.

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	A summary of noteworthy news about Greater Rochester schools
	More from 2019 Embattled Wayne school board members will stay June 25, 2019 -- Wayne Central School Board members Steven Gallaher and Dennis Landry will not be removed in the aftermath of accusations they overstepped their positions by gaining access to the unused Freewill Elementary School. The two, who have been critical of SUperintendent Mathis Calvin, each faced five charges by the district of official misconduct but were found not guilty of misconduct on three charges; the board found them guilty of misconduct related to two charges each. Wayne superintendent to depart at end of month June 20, 2019 -- Wayne Central School District Superintendent Mathis Calvin has resigned effective June 30, district officials announced. Calvin, who has led the district since 2015 and had three years remaining on his contract, did not cite a reason for his departure. Calvin and the district's school board entered what was termed "a mutual separation agreement." Vicma Ramos, the superintendent and chief executive officer for the Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educational Services, will serve as the interim superintendent starting July 1. Rochester schools will offer free home internet access June 10, 2019 -- The Rochester City School District will offer free home internet access to high school students beginning in September in conjunction with the 1Million Project Foundation. Every student lacking reliable home internet access will be given a hot spot device with 10 gigabytes of high-speed data per month, then an unlimited amount of data at a slower speed after that. RCSD Chief Information Officer Annmarie Lehner estimated that more than 4,000 students in grades 9-12 will receive the devices. The mobile hot spots can be used with the students' district-provided Chromebook laptops. The plan will cost the district nothing and has no end date, with each incoming class of ninth-graders getting hot spots if they need them. Hundreds of thousands of students across the country receive access through the 3-year-old 1Million Program in cooperation with Sprint. Mayor wants voters to decide on state takeover of schools June 7, 2019 -- Mayor Lovely Warren wants voters to decide whether a temporary state takeover of the City School District is needed, announcing that she is seeking a November referendum. The referendum would be symbolic since it would be up to the New York State Education Department to initiate a takeover. It still would take state legislation to replace the elected board. City Council could vote to authorize the referendum later this month. "The people of our city need to be able to decide what is best for our children," Warren said. Warren is seeking support for a plan floated last month by Regents Vice Chancellor T. Andrew Brown to replace the elected school board with a state-appointed, five-member interim board for at least five school years. Webster disciplines students over Snapchat video June 5, 2019 -- The Webster Central School District has disciplined students after a Snapchat video surfaced this weekend showing the students singing along to a song that included "racially offensive language" hile en route to the junior prom. According to a statement, the district held restorative sessions involving Webster Schroeder administrators, concerned students and the students who produced the video. District officials said they can't comment further on the disciplinary action that will take place. [ LOOK BACK AT OLDER STORIES ]