Kenneth Eastwood’s appointment as distinguished educator to the Rochester City School District has been rescinded.
A statement from the New York State Education Department said Eastwood could not come to an agreement with the school board regarding his contract.
But School Board President Van White said he was surprised by the decision.
"We were engaged in negotiations," he said via phone, "and actually had set aside office space [for Eastwood] in central office."
Eastwood's appointment was scheduled to begin April 25.
The position of distinguished educator is a new one for the district. The intent was to bring Eastwood in for up to a year, and in about three to four months, publish a report of how the systems within the district function, and what could be changed to improve student performance.
In the statement, a spokesperson from NYSED said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa and Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia were continuing a nationwide search for a candidate for the position.
White says he is confident the commissioner and the chancellor have the best interests of students at heart.
Eastwood could not be reached for comment.
