Words in Edgewise Podcast

In this episode of Words in Edgewise, journalist Robert Cox talks with host Claire T. Forall about his investigation into the New Rochelle School District’s spending of more than 3.2 million dollars on placements at Shrub Oak International School. He explains how a $400,000 payment discovered in July 2023 led to a two-year FOIL fight, an Article 78 case, and an ongoing records battle. That case is now on appeal before the Appellate Division Second Department of the New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn. The conversation also digs into State Education Department correspondence, reader questions about the spending, and what to watch next in the legal process. Follow the reporting at Talk of the Sound and robertcox.ie.

New Rochelle Spent Millions on Four Students at Unapproved Private School, Then Fought to Keep the Bills Secret

In this first episode of Words in Edgewise, journalist and publisher Robert Cox explains why a planned news story about New Rochelle’s Vision 2030 turned into a “20 Questions” piece. He discusses the missing problem statement, the enrollment and capacity data he wants to see, the risks of debating solutions before defining the problems, and why the district should create a central repository for the information informing the process.

The conversation also brings readers into the discussion. Martha McCann asks how charter schools and other educational options could affect future district enrollment, while Michael Cammer challenges whether Vision 2030 is fundamentally being driven by the district’s budget problems.

Cox closes by explaining why he believes the Vision 2030 process matters not only to parents and students, but also to taxpayers, property owners and the broader New Rochelle community.

Read: 20 Questions About Vision 2030