After spending the entire afternoon trying to find someone available to request a district organizational chart, the superintendent’s secretary answered the phone at 4:30 in the afternoon. She asked that she be given until the same time the next day to gather the information. In calling the same time the next day, she had left without plans to return.
The Communications Office was suggested where it was discovered that Linda Dunsmoore, Director of Communications was on vacation for a week. Ms. Torres was the next suggestion. The request was made with the response below given.
Ms. Thomas:
RE: District Records Available to the Public
Records maintained by the Rochester City School District are available to the public through New York State’s Freedom of Information Law. Requests must be made in writing, either by mail or by email (email is preferred). For a sample FOIL letter of request, please click here.
Rosalia Torres, Executive Assistant Bilingual
It is important to understand that it didn’t seem as though the organization was trying to hide the information. More to the point, no one spoken to at Central Office had any idea who Superintendent Vargas has in leadership positions other than those individuals named in the news report, including the superintendent’s secretary.
How can an organization that commands a $700 million dollar budget not have a clear and precise understanding of who is responsible for the execution of the daily work and practice of the company? Could this be one very important reason why we are a failing district?
The parents and students know who the teachers are, the teachers know who the principal is, and the principals know who the Zone Chiefs are. Unfortunately, once entering Central Office, it seems no one knows who anyone is.
How can this community continue to allow our tax dollars to be wasted in this system of mismanagement? More importantly, how can we allow our children to be so poorly educated by such incompetent leadership?
To be the best our children deserve the best.
Join the Movement to Save Our Children!
Hard to believe you actually have to make a formal request for something as simple as a RCSD organizational chart. It seems that ought to be basic knowledge, available anywhere.
Maybe this will help: http://www.rcsdk12.org/cms/lib04/NY01001156/Centricity/Domain/17/REVISED_ORG_CHARTS_FEB_2_2012.PDF
Thank you,
I am aware of this information but it has not been revised since 2/2/12. I appreciate your time in sending it.
L. Francis
Dear Brothers And Sisters,
The information that Ms. Thomas shared below is absolutely unbelievable. We constantly talk here on face book about holding people accountable. Well at some point (if we are serious) we actually have to DO something. I’m suggesting that (as a small thing) — why don’t we send hundreds of emails to members of the Rochester Board of Education (the seven people who are ultimately, supposedly in charge of the entire system) and ask, why is it that Ms. Thomas had to speak to so many people in order to get a simple question answered, and why is it necessary to file a Freedom of Information Law Request — in order to obtain a copy of something as simple as an organizational chart? If y’all like this idea — a copy of the note that I’m sending is below. Please feel free to use it, or draft your own. School board members email addresses are as follows:
malik@malikevans.org ; meliszacampos@hotmail.com; celliott1225@yahoo.com; mightymalik@aol.com; Malikevans07@aol.com; sophie.gallivan@gmail.com; van.white@thelegalbrief.com; wpowell@rochester.rr.com; countyleg@hotmail.com; Maryb_adams@urmc.rochester.edu; mary.adams@RCSDK12.org
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Please see below — the note that I’m sending (along with the link to Ms. Thomas’ article)
Dear Rochester Board Of Education Commissioners,
I am writing as a Rochester City School District parent, local, state, and federal tax payer. I was angered and baffled when I read Ms. Thomas’ article at the link below. I can’t believe the lack of professionalism and incompetence outlined in the article.
Specifically, I am writing to ask (as the Rochester City School District’s governing body) what is your plan to address this type of irresponsible, unprofessional behavior, and why is it necessary to file a Freedom of Information Law Request — in order to obtain a copy of something as simple as an organizational chart?
I am requesting a written response at your earliest possible convenience.
Thank you,
Howard J. Eagle
http://educabilityrocs.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/does-anyone-know-whos-in-charge/