WXXI AM News

harry bronson

Assembly candidates praise RCSD hire, differ on district’s plan for success

By • May 8, 2020
James Brown / WXXI

Assemblyman Harry Bronson and his primary challenger for the 138th District seat, Alex Yudelson, have nothing but good things to say about incoming Rochester City School District Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small. Multiple sources tell WXXI News that she is the board’s choice for the role. 

Bronson said he knew for a while that Myers-Small was in the mix for the top job at the district. He’s discussed her resume with education experts. 

Community reacts to Dade’s talks to leave RCSD

By • Apr 23, 2020
James Brown / WXXI

Rochester City School Superintendent Terry Dade announced Wednesday that he’s in talks to leave the 

district after less than one year on the job. The four union leaders who represent the bulk of district employees say the district needs a state monitor now.

An educational and financial monitor was approved as part of the state budget agreement but isn’t expected to be appointed until July. 

The unions wrote a letter to Betty Rosa, the chancellor of the New York State board regents to speed up that process and if she can’t. Rochester Teachers Association president Adam Urbanski has a solution for Rosa.

State rescues RCSD, district will get fiscal and academic monitor

By • Apr 1, 2020

A deal has been struck to bail out Rochester City Schools after the district overspent by more than $60 million last school year, which caused the district to lay off more than 150 staffers in December. 

Assemblyman Harry Bronson said a fiscal and academic monitor will be appointed to the district for the next three years. In exchange, the district will receive a $35 million loan from future state aid, known as a spin up, which will be paid back over at least 30 years. Without this agreement, Bronson said the district may have been allowed to seek a line of credit, but with a much shorter repayment window. 

Alex Yudelson wins Democratic Committee’s designation for Assembly seat

By April Franklin • Feb 2, 2020
April Franklin

There were some tense moments Saturday as local Democrats gathered for making decisions on backing candidates in upcoming elections. And that tension mainly surrounded the 138th district Assembly seat now held by Harry Bronson.

The Monroe County Democratic Committee is backing  Alex Yudelson in that race, rather than the incumbent. Yudelson is currently Chief of Staff at City Hall.

Cuomo's budget calls for monitor to oversee Rochester City School District

By & • Jan 21, 2020

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal released on Tuesday makes one brief reference to the Rochester City School District, indicating that he would like to see legislation establishing a monitor for the district. 

Assemblyman Harry Bronson has been among the area officials pushing for someone to keep track of the district’s finances, after problems with the prior budget and the current spending plan have caused a potential $65 million budget gap.

The Democrat was pleased to see Cuomo put some language in the budget plan about a state-appointed monitor. 

Alex Yudelson to run against Harry Bronson for Assembly

By • Dec 9, 2019
provided

There is a Democratic Primary shaping up for the 138th Assembly District next June, the seat currently held by Harry Bronson.

City of Rochester Chief of Staff Alex Yudelson announced Monday night that he will run for that seat next year, in the district that includes Henrietta, the town of Chili and parts of the City of Rochester.

Bronson releases legislation to improve Rochester School District

By & Jeremy Moule • Jun 13, 2019
File photo

As Mayor Lovely Warren has continued her push for a state takeover of Rochester city schools, state Assemblymember Harry Bronson has dug in, saying he opposes removing the elected school board. And he's mentioned that he's preparing legislation to improve student outcomes and the district's general functioning.

On Thursday morning, Bronson released a draft of the bill, the Rochester City School District Empowerment Act. The legislation, which he plans to introduce this session, targets a few areas of district operations:

Warren appeals to residents, lawmakers to make state takeover of RCSD reality

By • May 30, 2019

Mayor Lovely Warren said Thursday that she was first approached to take mayoral control of the Rochester City School District earlier this year.

The district has been under increased scrutiny from state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia because of its fiscal and management problems and its long history of poor graduation rates.

Warren would not say who approached her, but she did say she’d rather have experts run the district.

Connections: An update from the New York State Legislature

By & • Jan 18, 2019

You may have heard Governor Cuomo’s State of the State on Tuesday. Representatives from our area were in Albany for the address and the passing of the GENDA bill.

We hear from Assemblymembers Harry Bronson, Mark Johns, and Marjorie Byrnes about that news and about their priorities for this legislative session. We also discuss upstate economic development, the ban on conversion therapy, and the governor’s plan to legalize marijuana. Our guests:

Connections: Assemblymember Harry Bronson

By • Jun 2, 2017

Assemblymember Harry Bronson is back in studio with us for the first time since his reelection last September. We talk to him about his legislative priorities, including the Empire State Apprenticeship Program, which was included in the state budget. The job-training program will help young people gain skills in fields like nursing, agriculture, and advanced manufacturing. The goal is to reduce youth unemployment, poverty, and a skills gap in the workforce.

We also talk state business: ridesharing, healthcare, and more. Our guests:

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