Dear Colleagues, As you already know, the Rochester City School District is grappling with a projected budget deficit of approximately $30 million. Yesterday, Superintendent Dade briefed union presidents and also made a presentation to the Board of Education. Yesterday evening, you received an email from the District outlining some related information and current plans to address the predicament < http://rochesterteachers.org/a-message-from-superintendent-dade/>.  The Superintendent has decided to begin with a hiring freeze and consolidating under-enrollment in schools and classrooms. This, the Superintendent assured us, would result in minimal or no layoffs of teachers because of the significant number of vacant teaching positions that currently exist. If you recall, the Superintendent made a commitment in a September 22 video message to all staff that every effort will be made to avoid layoffs and to avoid any adverse impact on our classrooms and on services for our students...