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Isaiah Santiago’s recent apology apparently was not enough to persuade fellow Rochester City School District commissioner James Patterson to drop his effort to have Santiago removed from the school board.
Addressing his colleagues, constituents, and RCSD students, Patterson made a formal statement last week at his final business meeting as a commissioner.
The remarks were made in response to Santiago’s apology for his role in a shouting match that occurred between Santiago and Patterson in February. Patterson claimed Santiago used a racial slur during a heated argument following a meeting.
After the confrontation, Patterson submitted a request for Santiago’s removal from the board. In response, the board voted to pay for Santiago’s legal fees in the case. If there is no change, a hearing on Patterson’s request is set to occur this month.
Santiago has continually denied Patterson’s claims, even in his recent apology. Instead, the 20-year-old commissioner claimed that the accusation followed a pattern of intimidation based on his youth.
At last week’s meeting, Patterson implied that his fellow commissioner’s statements were false and he does not intend to drop his request for Santiago’s removal.
“Mercy requires accountability and true healing begins with ownership. To date, that ownership has not been taken,” Patterson said. “I urge you, commissioner, to tell the truth. The truth does not weaken us, it frees us.
“If you, Commissioner Santiago, truly desire to repair harm and grow as a leader,” he added, “you must take ownership. Because private apologies can never fully heal public harm. Leadership demands courage and courage requires truth, spoken openly.”
Patterson’s statement also referenced the words of the late Rep. John Lewis, Martin Luther King Jr., as well as his own self-described identity as a “follower of Christ.”
“No slur, no insult, no careless statement can speak louder than what God has already declared over your life. Just as being called the N-word by Commissioner Santiago will never outweigh what my God says about me, I choose to believe the report of the Lord,” Patterson said. “My identity is anchored in faith, truth, and purpose, not in hatred or ignorance.”
It was the last meeting for Patterson and Cynthia Elliott, both of whom ran into challenges earlier this year during the primary election process. Elliott, who has 20 years of experience as a commissioner, did not file a petition to run after previously indicating she would; Patterson’s paperwork was rejected by the Monroe County Board of Elections for a lack of valid signatures.
Both outgoing commissioners were honored in a ceremony preceding the business meeting, with Mayor Malik Evans speaking and issuing a proclamation marking Dec. 18, 2025, as Cynthia Elliott Day.
“One of the hardest jobs, next to being mayor, is being on the school board,” Evans said. “For anyone wanting to serve on the school board, even with a lot of criticism and challenges you may have, it is still one of the most noble things that you could do and, Cynthia, I know you would not have done it any other way.”
Evans, who served on the board for 14 years, was a colleague of Elliott for most of that time. He noted that other former board members who also served with her were in attendance at the ceremony, including Van White and Willa Powell.
Powell also delivered remarks, honoring both Elliott and Patterson, highlighting the connection she saw in their devotion to the Christian faith.
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist.
The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].
One individual is right and one is wrong. James Patterson did not deserve to be “addressed” the way he was, period. That makes the other party wrong. A resignation is due, now! Get er done. That said it’s difficult for someone still wet behind the ears to understand that. The position of education commissioner requires someone with experience. That’s obviously missing. Semper Fi.
Rarely in real life is one party right and the other wrong in these disputes.
We have gone to the Rabbit Hole when the answer to all our grievances is
“Off with their heads”.
“EXPERIENCE is the name everyone gives to their MISTAKES” (Wilde)
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Again, I suggest web pages for Schools and Teachers, to suggest advice and encouragement.
In addition, with AI, we can attempt to give more attention, to each and every student and teacher and parent. See my very crude, “scrapbook” page, and start pages, and use AI.
“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there” (Alice in Wonderland)
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WARNING ADVICE for everyone at Rochester Schools, including Board Members?
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ADVICE is needed, but maybe advice is best heeded as WARNINGS.
Yes, it would be great if we followed advice, but if we AVOID WARNINGS, it’s not good.
“If anything can go WRONG, it will” (Murphy’s Law)
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Again, advice and warnings can be posted on web pages, as can be seen on my crude page;
http://www.SavingSchools.org And, again, we have new AI Tools to give students attention…
“THE BEST IS THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD” (Voltaire, 1744)
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Striving for PERFECTION in school, and in life, can drive us, INSANE.
So, let me thank both Comm. Patterson and Comm. Santiago, and Rochester Beacon for showing us this great lesson in EDUCATION and in life.
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When I went through school, PERFECTION was the focus. If you did not get the right answer,
in the TIME allowed, you might feel STUPID, LAZY, BAD, etc. There was little part credit.
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So, again, I created my own web page: http://www.SavingSchools.org as a TOOL for SCHOOLS
Rochester Schools can create their own MOTIVATIONAL web pages, to encourage all students
I would be happy to share IDEAS, with anyone, at any school, on this idea.
(Perhaps, with this LESSON we can save many, many students from endless failure)
(Please get back to me, RSCD members, and others, ASAP, stop PROCRASTINATING)
“THE BEST IS THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD” Happy New Year
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WRONG is WRONG !
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It seems to me both parties are wrong and they should both apologize publicly, to move on.
I suggest a TED talk called, for ARGUMENTS SAKE, by Daniel Cohen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTN9Nx8VYtk&t=5s TED 9min
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Since when, in education, do we expect to always be right?
Again, I suggest that RCSD have web pages with ADVICE for students, teachers and parents.
My very crude page: http://www.SavingSchools.org is loaded with ideas, humor and sources.
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If RCSD can spend so much money, each year, why not find some COMMON SENSE, in 2026?
Arguments, like this one, can AWAKEN interest in EDUCATION, over and over, again.
Happy New Year, Rochester School Board Members, Happy New Year !!!
“WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE Shall be the STABILITY of Thy TIMES” (Isaiah 33.6)
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Again, let me repeat, this saying. Rochester Schools need better ADVICE, to move forward.
Outside advisors and some AI can surely help. Perhaps, some advisors could be paid by
outside groups, not by RCSD, so as to remain, independent and more honest and caring.
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Again, I repeat this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh3Yz3PiXZw&t=240s
ALTERNATIVE MATH 9 min could be shown to RCSB and others at the DISTRICT now.
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Yes, we are all making MISTAKES, and this is costing students endless FAILURE.
School Board Members will survive embarrassments, but students will suffer more.
(I am available and others can advise http://www.SavingSchools.org ) Happy 2026 THANKS
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The Gospel of Snark, “And the Philistine in a fit of rage called out to Jesus a bad name. And Jesus replied, Verily I take you to court. For I sit in judgement of you, and ye must be dragged to punishment in front of your peers.”
Happy Birthday Jesus! So glad you came.
Snark Chapter 1 Verse 3