Rochester board weighs closure of Northwest Middle School; staff and families urge delay

The Rochester Board of Education on Feb. 27 considered a district recommendation to close Northwest Middle School at the Douglas campus and relocate Andrew Langston Middle School into that building as part of the district's facilities modernization planning.

The proposal, presented by Interim Superintendent Demarino Strickland, would withdraw Northwest's BEDS code and move Andrew Langston's BEDS code to the Douglas campus to provide swing space for planned renovations elsewhere. Strickland said the change is driven by test-fit results for the Facilities Modernization Program (FMP), enrollment patterns, and a need to create space for Wilson Magnet High School renovations.

Why it matters: The proposal touched a nerve with Northwest staff, teachers and parents who said the school's culture, teacher retention and student supports would be harmed by a rushed consolidation. Supporters of Northwest urged the board to allow more time for community input and to follow board policy requiring three months' notice before a closure vote.

Teachers, staff and alumni filled the public-comment portion of the meeting and described the school as a stable community for students and families. Katie Breedy, a visual arts teacher who said she has taught at the Frederick Douglass/Northwest campus for more than 20 years, told the board, "Northwest is more than just a place for academic instruction. It's a cornerstone of support, care, and personal growth." Deborah Ortenzi, the middle school librarian, said, "Northwest Middle School is not just a building. It truly is a community."

Speakers detailed long-term relationships between staff and students, programs developed in recent years, and specific services such as a rebuilt library collection, after-school programs and bilingual supports. Several teachers described teacher retention at Northwest as a district model, noting that many educators had chosen to remain at the school rather than transfer away.

Board discussion and process questions: Commissioners and the state monitor pressed district staff on timing, process and financial impacts. Several commissioners said the recommendation appeared to conflict with RCSD Board Policy 7600, which the public speakers and some board members cited as requiring at least three months' notice to the board before asking members to vote on a school closure. Steve Lisenko and other public speakers referenced that policy during testimony.

Strickland told the board that the district notified the state and that NYSED requires a BEDS-code change application by March 1 to meet FMP timelines; he said delaying a decision would mean reopening the timeline and potentially incurring additional costs. He also said the district estimates about $1.9 million in annual savings if the closure proceeds.

Multiple commissioners said they were concerned about the speed of the timeline and asked for more data. Commissioner Griffin said decisions must be based on multi-year trends rather than a single snapshot. Commissioner Elliott emphasized academic outcomes, saying, "when you look at 6% ELA rate ... that data doesn't resonate with the positive experience I heard tonight." Commissioner LeBron warned that broad system instability and frequent leadership turnover made it difficult to support long-range moves during an administration transition.

Outcome and next steps: The board placed the closure item up for consideration as Resolution 5-22. The board debated waiving Policy 7600 to allow the vote; the waiver was moved. After extended discussion and public testimony, the board did not approve the closure recommendation at this meeting and the item did not move forward as a final action. Staff said they would continue outreach and human-resources planning and that human capital staff would meet with impacted employees to discuss transfers and vacancies.

The district noted that an alternative to closure would be co-location of the two middle-school programs in the same building, a step the administration said would require doubling certain administrative and staff positions for two separate schools in one facility. Strickland said that option would be fiscally and operationally challenging.

Board members and district staff indicated the matter could return to the board in a future meeting after additional analysis and community engagement. The superintendent and state monitor emphasized the FMP deadlines that drove the recommendation but acknowledged community concerns about the timing and transparency of the process.

Ending: The board's decision to defer action leaves the immediate future of Northwest unresolved. District officials said they will continue staff transition planning and community outreach; parents and staff said they will press for more time and data before any final vote.