City, school officials chided for squandering taxpayer $$ in ouster of Azarloza

Outgoing Rochester Schools Chief Annie Azarloza (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - "The Rochester School District and Superintendent Annie Azarloza have agreed to part ways," Rochester officials announced on Tuesday, prompting quick outrage on The Rochester Voice's Facebook page condemning city leaders for their ill-advised ouster of the former SAU 54 schools chief that will end up putting taxpayers on the hook in a contract buyout already agreed to by the city.
The statement also noted that the terms of the Azarloza's departure would not be immediately disclosed, because they have not yet been released and will updated when available.
The Rochester Voice immediately demanded release of the settlement by the close of business on Tuesday, but today there may now be no need for the records as The Rochester Voice has learned that Azarloza will receive the full remaining funds due on her two-year contract at $170.000 a year.
After being on administrative paid leave since February, her total buyout is thought to be somewhere in the vicinity of $180,000. If she gets full benefits that can add another $65,000.
"Shouldn't that be public information," retorted Andy Jones regarding the city's withholding of the buyout numbers.
"It will be expensive, guaranteed," agreed Ann Marie Banfield.
And Susan Beth said the good citizens of Rochester will be left in the dark, again.
"Of course they're not disclosing how they mismanaged the taxpayers money ... AGAIN!" she said.
Tracy Walbridge, who has been following Rochester schools for a long time said Azarloza was proud of her accomplishments as the superintendent and wasn't going to leave with her head hanging down.
"From the start, Annie made one thing clear: she came to this town with her name, and she wasn't leaving without it," Walbridge said. "She always said that if the district refused to release the report to clear her name, the next best thing and only other acceptable outcome would be a full buyout because that, at the very least, would speak the truth they wouldn't say out loud, that she did nothing wrong."