Hélène Biandudi

Governor Cuomo is calling on the state Legislature to act on a proposal to create a justice center in the state for people with special needs.

Cuomo says the bill addresses an ongoing problem of abuse by employees in state mental health and special needs facilities.

The Governor says the new center will set up two justice mechanisms, "One, for really serious offenses, a special prosecutor who can bring criminal charges, specializing in justice area dealing with justice population and becoming expert in the challenges that are presented here."

Cuomo says the Justice Center will also have an effective administrative mechanism that sanctions or terminates employees who abuse trust.

Local teen filmmakers are giving viewers an inside look at the issues that impact youth, and they’re doing it through mini-documentaries.

Teens involved in the Raising 100,000 Voices Project shared their films with the public Wednesday night at a special screening at The Little Theatre.

Matthew Cruz’s film “The Legend of The Myth” was part of the screening. He says through his work on the project he’s learned how to express his feelings through video, “And show how I want to come across. Like if I want to explain something I can show it better through video than I can really talk. And I learned that I can actually talk in front of, I used to have stage fright so I can now talk in front of more people."

Students and community members are rallying in downtown Rochester Friday afternoon to honor the life of a young man known as an “ambassador for change.”

The Monroe Community College student government is joining with the Center for Teen Empowerment to celebrate the life of Lawrence Richardson. The 22-year-old was murdered earlier this month.

Duane Yansen, a program coordinator at Teen Empowerment worked with Richardson. Yansen says he was a natural helper, "He represented a lot of what T.E. represents, being young and struggling and figuring out where his niche in life was and just the type of kid who no matter how many times he fell off the horse he still got up and brushed himself off."

Rochester’s School Board President says the superintendent search process was “transparent.”

That’s in response to protestors who demonstrated during superintendent candidate Dr. Bolgen Vargas’s presentation at a public forum Tuesday night.

Malik Evans says the move by a group of community members was in an effort to discredit the interim superintendent.

But Lori Thomas, a 5th grade teacher in the District, who also joined with the protestors, says the issue is with the superintendent search process, more so than Vargas.

She says some community members have gone before the Board to share their concerns regarding how board members went about selecting the finalists from the larger pool of candidates. But she says they've received no response.

The two men vying for the post of permanent Rochester City School Superintendent met with the public for nearly six hours Tuesday at East High School.

Interim Superintendent Bolgen Vargas and Houston school administrator Andrew Spencer addressed a number of topics, from managing student behavior in school to alternative education programs.

Spencer points to his success in Houston where a successful alternative program is underway called a personal graduation plan.

Bolgen Vargas cited his recent recommendations to the School board for an alternative school.

Last night's question and answer session with both candidates was interrupted by protesters upset over the process by which the next superintendent is picked.

One of the finalists in the search for Rochester’s next city school chief says while he’s not from the area - that’s an asset for the district and the community.

Andre Spencer currently serves as the School Improvement Officer for the Houston Independent School District in Texas. He’s also one of two finalists in the superintendent search - along with Dr. Bolgen Vargas.

Spencer says he understands Rochestarians may want a “local” school chief, but he says someone with a fresh slate in the area with no local ties should be viewed as a plus

Spencer served as a teacher and principal in the Baltimore city school district for 14 years before transferring to Houston.

He and Vargas will attend a public forum at East High School tonight at 6:30.

WXXI's Helene Biandudi reports on the influence of rap and hip hop music among young people in and around Rochester.

The story examines the power the music has to bring people together, but also looks at the potential negative impact when it glorifies violence and demeans women. Our cameras visited the classroom of Dr. Miri Pardo at St. John Fisher College where they study rap & hip hop.

Also, WXXI News Director Julie Philipp leads a discussion about the issue with the Democrat and Chronicle Editorial Board's James Lawrence and Erica Bryant.

Click the video box below to watch the segment that originally aired on WXXI's Need to Know Rochester Friday, April 13, 2012.

The Rochester City School District is talking budget tonight. Interim Superintendent, Dr. Bolgen Vargas, will present his budget for the next school year, where he’ll outline a plan to close the District’s $44 million deficit.
WXXI’s Hélène Biandudi has more on the challenges the District is facing right now and what’s on and off the table to help close that gap.

City School Board President Malik Evans says the state’s budget provides needed relief for Rochester.

An increase of more than $800 million in education spending in the state budget will be targeted toward high needs school districts including Rochester.

Evans says this means the District won’t have to use as much money from its fund balance, "Which is funds set aside for emergencies such as legal fees, roofs that may blow off, it allows us to spend less from there but at same time it allows us to have a budget that will put kids first to make sure our kids have a holistic education."

Evans says that means students won’t miss out on programs such as art, music and library time.

WXXI News reports on measuring the effectiveness of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection.

This story includes interviews with those who express concerns about the effectiveness of the program and supporters who say it is vital to the success of many young people.

Click on the video box below to wathc the story that first aired on WXXI's Need to Know Rochester program on Friday, March 16, 2012.