ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- State Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced the appointment of Dr. Kenneth Eastwood as a Distinguished Educator to the Rochester City School District. 

Dr. Kenneth Eastwood has 30 years of experience as an educator, including nearly 20 years as a superintendent of schools in the Oswego and Middletown City School Districts.

Eastwood will serve as a consultant and will review the district's systems, structures and operations.

RCSD Superintendent Barbara Deane-Williams released a statement following the announcement of the hire:

“I welcome the participation of Dr. Eastwood in addressing the fiscal, operational, and instructional challenges facing the District. While I am confident of the direction in which the District is currently proceeding, I also know that there is additional urgent work to be done to serve Rochester’s children and their families. Our children deserve the very best and I remain deeply committed to serving this community.” 

According to the latest statistics, the Rochester City School District has the second lowest 4-year, 5-year, and 6-year graduation rates of any district in New York State that has more than 30 students in a cohort.

“For far too many years, the Rochester City School District has struggled to address a myriad of issues relating to instruction and student support that have created impediments to student learning,” Commissioner Elia said.