The University of Rochester is responding to the decision to end the U of R's partnership with East High.

On Thursday, the Rochester City School District Board of Education voted to end the partnership. The Educational Partnership Organization agreement was put in place in 2015. The vote means it will expire as it was originally intended to in June 2025.

Despite pleas for the extension of the partnership from members of the community, the board cited financial concerns in its vote. The district says it contributes $23 million per year to the partnership.

On Friday, the U of R released a statement saying in part:

"While University leaders strongly advocated for an extension of the EPO beyond June 2025 in order to maintain the same level of intentionality in a transition as in the formation of the EPO, we accept the decision to fully reintegrate East back into the RCSD educational system and conclude our EPO partnership a year and a half from now. Importantly, we will work with RCSD leaders during this time to create a transition plan that respects the East community of students, parents and families who have committed to the EPO model, as well as our outstanding administrators, teachers, and staff."

The superintendent of the EPO, Marlene Blocker, says they wish to preserve the accomplishments of the partnership.

"Having governance outside of the RCSD has truly enabled us to overcome barriers from RCSD turbulence, continuous turnover and numerous failed reforms," said Blocker.

East High was on the brink of closure prior the the establishment of the EPO in 2015. At that time, graduation rates were around 33%. According to the U of R, they are now over 85%. The U of R says the partnership has reduced suspensions, attendance and student engagement have significantly improved and a school-to-university pipeline has been established.

On Thursday, before the Board of Education vote, the U of R said an extension of the existing EPO was the only acceptable option to continue to advance the work that has been done and to allow for a thoughtful reintegration of East back into the RCSD when the time was right.