RCSD superintendent leaving? | News

It's the talk of the town but is it true?

Many people are hearing that Rochester City School Superintendent Jean Claude Brizard could be leaving Rochester for a job in Chicago.

This all started because of an email from a Chicago Tribune reporter that was passed along to News 10NBC.

There's speculation that Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard has been tapped to head up Chicago public schools.

In the email the reporter said he heard "rumors" this morning that Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel had already made his choice and that Brizard was the guy."

News 10NBC wants to make it clear -- Rochester school district officials say this is not true.

The school district says it's not true but that hasn't stopped all the talk.

News 10NBC spoke by phone with the Chicago Tribune reporter who's been calling community members to learn more about Brizard.

Joel Hood tells News 10NBC that Brizard seems to fit what new Emanuel is looking for in a school superintendent in Chicago and that it wouldn't surprise him that Emanuel's people have reached out to Brizard.

There's been friction between Brizard and teachers union here. News 10NBC caught up with Rochester Teachers President Adam Urbansi today. He had just emerged from a budget meeting with Brizard's staff in which they still disagree on the need for teacher layoffs in the new budget.

Urbanski said, “No, he may be in Chicago or someplace else interviewing but I don't want to interfere with his travel plans. I actually would give him a very high recommendation. I'm convinced he would be a better match with some other district than this one.”
   
The Chicago Tribune reporter says this probably a little bit premature and he hasn't written a story that included Brizard's name yet.

News 10NBC did confirm with the district that Jean-Claude Brizard was in to work today and has been on the job all week.

The Rochester City School District issued a statement said, “There is no truth to the rumor that Superintendent Brizard has made or is making some kind of announcement to staff today. Please put this rumor to bed.”