HURWITZ & FINE P.C.
Joseph S. Brown
Dr. Myers-Small has authorized me to release the following statement on her
behalf:
Over a week ago, President White notified me that the Board hired outside
legal counsel to conduct an investigation relative to a staff complaint. I
assured him that I would fully cooperate in the investigation and decided
not to provide comment. I was hoping that a fair, thorough and expedient
process would take place. However, the most recent article by an internet
publication has included false and deceitful allegations that are intended to
defame my character and tear down my almost 30 years of dedicated
service to the public.
As this is an active investigation, I have been advised not to comment so
the investigation can proceed in an impartial manner. I will fully
cooperate in the investigation and look forward to a thorough and
expedient process, so this matter can come to a close and we can all focus
on our student scholars.
On September 16, Democrat & Chronicle (see link below) reported that someone filed a sexual harassment complaint against Superintendent Dr. Lesli Myers-Small of RCSD. At that time, information regarding the person who filed the complaint or what happened remained a mystery. Now, our source is speaking out. According to the source, the woman behind the sexual harassment complaint is allegedly RCSD’s CFO Carleen Pierce. The source confirmed that in August Myers-Small, Pierce and others attended a Retreat at East High School. Allegedly, during the event, several witnesses watched in disbelief as Myers-Small touched Pierce’s breast and overheard her complimenting Pierce’s legs. The source claimed that Pierce is a well-dressed woman and wears pumps that give the appearance of muscular legs. The source also claimed that a superior witnessed the indecent interaction between Myers-Small and Pierce. Pierce allegedly was reluctant to file a complaint but was pressured to do so.
According to RCSD’s website Carleen Pierce was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on August 10, 2020, after serving as an interim CFO since 2015. In June of 2020, Pierce was featured on Spectrum News regarding the pandemic.”Just because you want something doesn't mean you can afford it," Pierce said. "And it's the same sort of thing in the district."Rochester schools will absorb sweeping staff, service reductions, and school closings. Pierce says years of state and outside oversight have set the right course. "State auditors, external auditors, we have the road map," Pierce said. "Now, we just have to get the job done."Pierce wears CFO hats for the city schools, and East High School EPO, and as she juggles pandemic contingencies and school reopening plans for both, she knows it will be how she explains the dollars and cents to families that will rebuild a generation of faltering trust in the district. "When financial people, bean counters, school financial leaders speak, it comes across in a different language," she said. Pierce and district leadership won't have much of a summer. It'll take most of that, and the fall, to lay the foundation for rebuilt trust in the district, when its next budget plan is due November 1.
Board President Van White stated, "It has come to our attention there are some allegations made against the superintendent (Myers-Small) and we’ve retained outside counsel to investigate those allegations. The allegations are currently under investigation by the law firm Woods Oviatt Gilman.
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