Bolgen Vargas, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Rochester City School District

131 West Broad Street

Rochester, New York 14614

August 1, 2014

Dear Families, Students, and Staff of Rochester STEM High School,

I am writing to inform you about the status of Social Studies teacher Diane Watkins.

Ms. Watkins, along with two other adults from our school, accompanied ten of our seniors on a

weekend field trip to New York City at the end of May. On Saturday, May 31, Ms. Watkins was

detained during a visit to the Statue of Liberty and became absent from the group. Students

completed their trip under the supervision of the other adults and were back in school Monday

morning. Ms. Watkins did not return calls over the weekend, but her family assured Principal

Denaro on Monday that she was all right and would return to school Tuesday, June 3rd.

Upon her return, Ms. Watkins was asked about her detainment and absence from the group. She

did not provide an answer, and the District could not make her explain because of due process

rights that protect teachers from answering questions that could lead to discipline. Weeks later,

the District learned that Ms. Watkins had been arrested for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in

the Second Degree. Those charges will be decided in a New York court. We have no reason to

believe students were ever in danger. However, according to District policy, only law

enforcement officers and people with express authority can carry weapons at school functions.

Principal Denaro has called all of the parents of students who attended this field trip. We have

instructed Ms. Watkins not to contact students over the summer, as the District investigates this

matter internally. She will not be returning to STEM High School when school resumes and will

not be working with students until this matter is resolved.

I have been receiving questions about when I was personally notified of this matter and whether

action should have been taken sooner. We are conducting a high-level review to learn all the

facts, but it is clear to me that the situation could have been communicated and managed more

effectively within the organization. We will use the review to improve internal processes and

ensure that the District responds promptly and thoroughly in any situation that raises questions

about the safety of our children.

Sincerely,

Bolgen Vargas

Superintendent of Schools