Colleagues, Late last week, the New York State Division of Budget notified all school districts that the State is now projecting a $14.5 billion budget shortfall and therefore may be reducing state aid to school districts by 20%. The Rochester City School District’s new budget director is already recommending deep cuts to make up the expected budget deficit. If the RCSD’s superintendent and school board approves such a proposal for immediate reductions, the impact on the district’s staff and students would be catastrophic. The presidents of all four unions representing employees of the RCSD have sent a joint letter today (see attached) to Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small and to the Board of Education urging them to resist such a drastic and premature action. The NYS Division of Budget’s action could be affected, or even averted, by the passing of the Heroes Act - the Federal fiscal stimulus bill already passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and yet to be acted upon by...