On September 16, the Democrat & Chronicle reported that a complaint of sexual harassment had been filed against Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small. The news outlet cited multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation, stating that the incident allegedly took place at a district event in early August. The complaint claimed that the superintendent had inappropriately touched and made comments about a district employee's body.
Following a private meeting with the district's general counsel, School board president Van White confirmed the allegations, stating that outside counsel was retained to investigate the matter. A few days later, a reliable source connected to inside information revealed to our publication what had supposedly occurred during a Retreat at East High School. According to our source, Myers-Small had touched the breast of an unidentified married White woman and complimented her legs. We later discovered that the alleged complainant was CFO Carleen Pierce.
As news of the incident spread, rumors began circulating regarding Myers-Small's rumored relationships with female staff and possibly students during her time at Wilson Magnet High School. However, these allegations could not be verified.
These suspicions of a history of misbehavior by Myers-Small are concerning. Reports disclosed that her contract with Brockport Central Schools terminated before its expiration date. This raises the question of why the contract ended. According to a contract published by WHEC and supposedly signed by Myers-Small, her employment was scheduled to last from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020, unless otherwise terminated or extended. Reports confirm that Myers-Small left Brockport in January 2019 after being appointed Assistant Commissioner of School Reform and Innovation with the New York State Education Department. It remains unclear whether Myers-Small left by choice or was forced to leave.
Since the initial report, the school board has remained silent on the sexual harassment complaint. Myers-Small has continued to be active within the Rochester city schools, appearing in photos with students. The community anxiously awaits the outcome of the investigation.
The Rochester Board of Education MIGHT be breaking its silence soon. According to Board President Van White (while speaking during the Take It Down Planning Committee; Faith Community Alliance Coalition's final --- 12/02/21 --- Quarterly Roundtable meeting with him in his role of Board President), he noted that the Board is due to receive a final report from the attorney's who have been investigating the case on or about December 6th. However, he noted that there is a potential, serious caveat relative to sharing the report with the public. You can listen to him discuss the situation, beginning at the 1:32:35 mark of the video at the following link. Cut & Paste the link into your browser to listen >>>