January 27th 2022
Seventeen students and parents spoke before the Board supporting continued transportationfor students, and 94 additional written comments were submitted. In addition, eight community
leaders and RCSD staff spoke in support of maintaining the Rochester International Academy as a newcomer
school providing services for refugee and immigrant students.
Reports were given by the Student Leadership Congress, the Parent Leadership Council (PLAC) and the Bilingual Education Council representatives. Topics raised included exploration of an equity curriculum, provision of more challenging courses for all students, concerns about the effect of testing on students, remote learning issues, inclusion of parents in decisions, and the continuing need to improve communication.
The Board Reports are available on Board Docs from the following committees: Equity in Student Achievement
(Simmons), Board Governance and Development (Maloy), and Policy Development and Review (Powell).
Commissioners summarized key points during the meeting. Vice President LeBron introduced the Finance and
Resource Allocation report. Chief Financial Officer Pierce presented the December2021 Financial Report and
the 2021-22 Second Quarter Change Order Report which were discussed and accepted. Policies will be further
addressed under new business.
Shaun Nelms, Ed.D., Superintendent of East Upper and Lower Schools, reported on coming work on Standards
Based Grading at his schools and how grades reflect what students are learning. Key points include the
use of ‘Understanding by Design’ and the importance of understanding the learners. Vice President LeBron
added a request to Commissioner Simmons to invite Superintendent Nelms to attend her Equity in Student
Achievement (ESA) Committee meetings so that East can be represented.
Lesli Myers-Small, Ed.D., RCSD Superintendent, opened with a description of the COVID ‘test to stay’ program
and a vaccination program in schools. The bulk of her presentation dealt the quarterly update on the Federal
Relief Funding, focusing on Round 2. The Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
(CRRSA) funds of $87.5M was approved and use was initiated in Fall 2021. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Genelle
Morris provided an overview of three of the six CRRSA priorities (1, 3 & 6) that are currently being initiated:
1) Rigorous academic instruction including school redesign, 3) Investing in staff capacity, and 6) Districtwide
infrastructure including student health & safety and COVID 19 response. Most items under these 3 priorities are
considered initiated with ‘demonstratable progress.’ Myers-Small also noted that approval for the Round 3 plan
(American Rescue Plan, ~$197M) had been received.
Dr. Morris also reported that the Zone Reconfiguration Task Force is recommending that no changes will be
made to the current zones or to transportation routes, thus eliminating suggested changes.
Resolutions were brought forward and approved with minimal discussion. Several resolutions (#378 - 387 minus
383) were grouped to be accepted as Concept Resolutions (e.g. Final Payments for extended contracts and
resignations) and voted on a whole. Individual Resolutions (#383 and 388-417) followed including, for example,
provisional appointments, training, payment for extended learning and summer programs. All motions carried.
There was some discussion of an intermunicipal agreement whereby Monroe County would reimburse RCSD
up to $3,911,680 for the cost of screening and testing of District employees and students for COVID-19 during
the period September 9, 2021, through June 30, 2022. The agreement was approved; however, VP LeBron noted that the reimbursement may not occur during the current budget year and thus there was some risk involved.
Commissioner Powell presented the first reading of Board Policies involving Educational Philosophy (0000),
Superintendent goals (3000) and Board member responsibilities (2000, 2280, 2440). She noted that the goals
changed each year, but the language is often static. Policy 0200 concerns the issue of the language, and it has
been recommended that that item be deleted. It will be included in this first reading. Four additional Blocks
of policies (#2100, 2111, 2120.1, 2260, 2410) are in the final reading stage and will be voted on during the
next regular meeting. See BoardDocs® Plus on the RCSD website under the Board of Education tab– click on
meetings and 2022.
BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSIONS
Work Sessions on School Closures and Reconfiguration were scheduled for January 13, 18, 20 and
February 3. Among the items discussed were Zone Reconfiguration Plans, the Managed Choice
Policy,
Communications Protocols, use of the Board Question Log, Remote vs. In-person meetings, Board Meeting
Structure, and future Board Work Sessions. Minutes are available on BoardDocs® Plus.
OBSERVED BY CONSTANCE FLAHIVE ONLINE