Warren Calls For More Community Schools in RCSD

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren called for big changes in the Rochester City School District during her 2019 State of the City address.

Tuesday night's speech was delivered from Enrico Fermi School #17 where 18 years ago Tyshaun Cauldwell, 10, was gunned down around the corner. The child's tragic death sparked change in what's now known as the JOSANA neighborhood.

“I want you to know that Tyshaun’s death, and the hope he inspired, was not in vain," she said.

Warren proposed that the Campbell Street R-Center be renamed the “Tyshaun Cauldwell R-Center for Hope" in his honor.

She says the murder of 10yo #TyshaunCauldwell in 2001, just around the corner of the school, sparked a movement in the community. Tyshaun’s mother Charlotte is in the audience. #SOTC @SPECNewsROC pic.twitter.com/4KvLxHG7K4
— Andrew Freeman (@AFreemanNews) April 23, 2019

“Every man, woman and child in Rochester deserves to have hope," Warren preached. "They deserve to believe that tomorrow will be better than today.”

School #17 is one of 10 community schools in the school district. Warren says the success shown at these schools needs to be replicated in other parts of the city.

#MayorWarren says since Tyshaun’s death, crime is down 30% in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is growing, and #School17 has transformed: average attendance at 90%, suspensions down 89% and meeting 83% of state improvement goals. @SPECNewsROC
— Andrew Freeman (@AFreemanNews) April 23, 2019

Close to home: School 17 provides access to services for kids and families like health care, dental care, behavioral health, help finding housing, jobs and other supports. Community Schools #ROC! #SOTC19
— City of Rochester NY (@CityRochesterNY) April 23, 2019

"This model of merging academic and social supports for families is working at every school that deploys these pillars of hope," Warren said.

Warren: “I’ll say it again, just like Flint, we know that our current system is failing at least half of our kids. And we are allowing it to happen. We are saying that half is good enough. How can we consciously do that?” #SOTC #ROC pic.twitter.com/h5dFcuZsgD
— Spectrum News ROC (@SPECNewsROC) April 24, 2019

Warren claims Rochester's annual unemployment rate is at its lowest point in 10 years, which she believes is due to the city's growth as an innovation hub. However, the city plans to adopt a new plan that will spring more growth over the next 15 years, in time for Rochester's 200th birthday.

The new blueprint is dubbed the "2034 Comprehensive Plan" and replacing the "Renaissance 2010 Plan" that was adopted in 1999.

The mayor also highlighted major infrastructure projects slated to take place in the upcoming months, including construction on the Rundel Library Terrace and Play Walk, ROC City Skate Park, Charles Carroll Plaza, and Blue Cross Arena expansion.

Mayor Warren: “We are redeveloping our beacons of play at Don Samuel Torres Park, Troup Street Park, Genesee Valley Park, the Campbell Street R-Center and at our schools because our children deserve to jump, learn, spin and play in quality environments.” #roc #rocsotc19 pic.twitter.com/FsrC3KC6ml
— City of Rochester NY (@CityRochesterNY) April 23, 2019

According to city officials, crime in the city has dropped 27 percent in the past five years and is now at its lowest point in 34 years. Warren reaffirmed that more needs to be done to address poverty through education, job creation and neighborhood revitalization.

"Like the people of JOSANA did, we must recognize our rock-bottom moment and come together as a community," Warren said.

Warren: “The solution to our failing schools is right here before us and if we do nothing, it can all be taken away. I’m asking you to join me in not allowing that to happen. I’m asking you to get off the sidelines, to seize this opportunity...” #SOTC #ROC pic.twitter.com/MYQ0Er59zS
— Spectrum News ROC (@SPECNewsROC) April 24, 2019

Warren Calls For More Community Schools During SOTC Speech

LATEST NEWS