17 March 2013
Rochester School for the Deaf Board Members
Rochester School for the Deaf
1545 St. Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14621
1545 St. Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14621
To the Board Members of the Rochester School for the Deaf,
A great responsibility is upon you in the choice of the next
Superintendent of the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD). At a time when Deaf schools face
constant threats of closing and cuts, a strong visionary leader is certainly
needed. This adds further
importance to specifying the qualities of such a leader and the process by
which this individual is chosen.
Audism Free America (AFA) is dedicated to combating discrimination against Deaf people. Relying heavily on an outside agency that has no knowledge of Deaf culture, ASL, and community accountability within the Deaf-World does not bode well in leading to an audism-free new superintendent.
AFA joins with the Rochester School for the Deaf alumni
Association and the Advocacy Committee for Fair Search Process as well as other
community organizations to support the call for more inclusive representation
on the Search Committee. Members
of the community have clearly stated that the Committee should include: an RSDAA representative, an RSD faculty
Representative, an RSD staff representative and one RSD parent. Including such key stakeholders on the
Search Committee is appropriate and will build greater trust in the search
process.
RSD’s Educational Vision (see www.rsdeaf
“About RSD”) begins “The faculty, staff, Board, families, alumni, and
volunteers of RSD are dedicated and committed to…”
In addition, faculty, staff, families and volunteers (many
of who are alumni) are identified as
“vital resources.”
AFA calls upon the Rochester School for the Deaf Board to
take actions, which will utilize and honor all of these vital resources, which
are needed to carry out RSD’s educational vision. We call upon you to unify the school, the community
and the stakeholders by including the above representatives on the search
committee. We do believe that the
Board can creatively combine the hiring of an external firm with having an
inclusive Search Committee.
The passion of the members of the RSD alumni, the Rochester
Deaf Community and its allies shows a great investment in the importance of the
future of RSD. This investment the Board and future
superintendent of RSD cannot afford to loose.
Let Freedom Roll,
Karen Christie, Patti Durr and Ruthie Jordan
For AFA
