Rochester's Mayor Lovely Warren's latest solution for fixing the embattled school district includes a change happening at Enrico Fermi School #17 on Orchard Street.
But can the community school model that got it out of state receivership succeed across the district? Advocates say it can — if each neighborhood knows what it needs.
After School #17 failed to such a degree that the state had to step in, JOSANA neighborhood leaders formulated a plan. With the help of school leaders a clinic was developed at the school. Support from philanthropists was matched by a legion of volunteers who also supported school operations through the school day and, at times, beyond.
Principal Caterina Leone-Mannino says it cost more to extend the school day and keep track of services, but the reward comes with children more ready to learn.
"When we talk about community schools, they can look differently based on the context and the need of where they are," said Leone-Mannino.
The University of Rochester is studying School #17's community school model. It's also supported by the Rochester Teachers Association who made way for it 12 years ago when it added an option for individual schools to renegotiate with teachers in order to design the school model of its choice.
The decentralizing model of school operation is not supported by the Rochester City School District and Board of Education. Spectrum News has reached out to both parties for comment.