Brizard given no confidence vote

Over 80 percent of the City School District's 3,500 teachers took part in Thursday's vote, and 95 percent expressed no confidence in Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard.

"You can't be a leader if you don't have followers," said Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski.  The vote was an unprecedented move by the RTA.  Never before had a no confidence vote been taken against a superintendent.

Urbanski said teachers feel Brizard has ignored their input and neglected city schools to promote private charter schools.  In addition, teachers have been without a contract since last June.  "We need to send a message, not only to Mr. Brizard, but the community," said Charlotte teacher Charlie Avino.  "We're out here, we're working, we're working hard for kids and we don't seem to be getting anywhere with the contract and we don't seem to be getting anywhere with improving the conditions at the schools."

The teacher's vote was preceded by a vote of no confidence for Brizard by parents and community members February 1.  "He clearly does not value the involvement of parents and community members in the decision-making process about the lives of our children," said Howard Eagle of the Rochester Community Education Task Force. 

Fellow Task Force member Mary Adams said for Brizard time has run out.  "There's been much work, much engagement, much attempts to collaborate up until now," said Adams.  "This is the culmination of a process of attempted collaboration."

In a statement, Brizard said, "Although not surprising, this outcome is unfortunately given the large number of supportive comments I have received from teachers, most of whom are not as eager as their union to express their opinions publicly."

Although Thursday's vote had no legal teeth, Urbanski said it sends a clear directive to the Superintendent.  "He either has to change his ways or change his location," said Urbanski.

School Board President Malik Evans also weighed in on the vote results saying, in part, the differences between the adults in the school system should not come ahead of the needs of the students.  Both sides, said Evans, need to work together to improve student achievement.