March 24th 2022
OBSERVED BY CONSTANCE FLAHIVE ONLINEThree speakers addressed the Board concerning the bilingual registration process, restoring the Rochester international Academy (RIA) to a K-12 program, and the impact of the lack of staff on ELL support for upcoming standardized testing and basic classroom supports. Reports were given by the Parent Leadership Advisory Council (PLAC) and the Bilingual Education Council (BEC). PLAC recognized the hiring of additional translators and asked for increased communication, accountability, and equity. The BEC report was given in Spanish and translated to English. BEC recognized English Language Learning students from high schools as welcome student voices and raised concerns about the state level assessments.
The State Monitor, Dr. Shelley Jallow, presented a PowerPoint responding to the proposed 2022-23 RCSD Proposed Budget presented on March 22. She stated that the district lacks progress toward her Fiscal and Academic Improvement plans and that the use of $30 million ARP (American Rescue Plan) funds to balance the budget is not acceptable. During discussion of the response, President Elliot stated that hours have been spent meeting with NYS Commissioner Rosa, Dr. Jallow, and the RCSD staff, adding the “District does not have a money problem. We have a process, an organization, a human resource problem.” The Board Reports are available on the district’s Board Docs from the Equity in Student Achievement (Simmons), and Policy Development and Review (Powell) committees.
Policy readings will be further addressed under new business. Elliott’s President’s Report will also be submitted to Board Docs. She stated that she will resume visiting schools and attending leadership meetings. Superintendent Myers-Small reported on several highlights from the district including appreciation for partners, students, and teachers. More graduation data from 2013- 2021 were presented noting the exemptions due to COVID from Regents exams and current support for expected 2022 graduates.
East Superintendent Nelm’s report stressed the need for help from parents and the community to stem the current epidemic of violence and expressed appreciation for the administrators at East for their support. Resolutions were brought forward and approved with minimal discussion. The process was efficient but much less transparent as they were not available on the screen for public viewing during the process. There was a Consent Agenda where bundled resolutions were approved and voted on as a whole. Resolutions 486-425 (with 485, 487 and 526 moved to executive session prior to the vote) were voted on individually with all motions approved unanimously with one exception. Also, Resolution 522, approval of the 2022-23 District Calendar, was tabled so the district could reconsider the dates around the standardized testing. Commissioner Patterson left prior to that vote.
Commissioner Powell presented the Policies available for second readings including Public Board Hearing Procedures and the Facilities Packet. See BoardDocs® Plus on the RCSD website under the Board of Education tab– click on meetings and 2022. Resolutions and relevant Policies are available within the agenda.
RCSD BOARD OF EDUCATION 2022-23 CONTINUING BUDGET PROCESS:
A PowerPoint presentation providing details of the proposed 2022-23 RCSD Budgets were presented to the community on March 22 and remain available on BoardDocs® Plus (found under the agenda via the meetings tab). The RCSD Budget for 2022-23 totals $981,099,049, a decrease from the previous budget of .5% (about $5 million). The presentation included thoughts about the alignment with the Fiscal and Academic Improvement plans, key expansions to the Instructional Program, and a Five-Year Budget Forecast.
Note: an emergency meeting requested by Vice President LeBron was held March 18 where questions were raised about transparency, especially in the sections on monies allocated to the Board of Education and Central Office. There was also a question raised about the use of $30 million ARP funds to balance the budget. (There was not time to address those points prior to submitting the Budget Book on April 22.) The EPO (Exclusive Provider Program) Fund is approved as part of the state process at $22,209,911.
Superintendent Nelms presented his expectation for restoring programs reduced during 2019-20 school year due to COVID impact. A reduction of 1.8% is still expected during 2022-23 for a total of $21,805,085 with the remainder being returned. The Public Budget Hearing was held on April 14 with 13 speakers (in-person or via Zoom) including RCSD parents, staff and community members, including Eamonn Scanlon of the Children’s Agenda and several representatives of the Citizen Action organization. There are also four written comments submitted to BoardDocs. The key concerns raised were the need for details and substantive funds for Mental Health issues and increased transparency in the Budget Book. Several speakers commented on the value of VP LeBron’s work on the Board. An Executive Session was added to this meeting to discuss LeBron’s request for legal defense support from RCSD as she responds to the petition by Commissioner Powell to remove her from the Board. The resulting Resolution 534 providing those funds was approved by a 5-2 vote. Board questions to the district are due and the Board deliberation begins on April 26 with the Board Budget vote on May 10. The next Regular Business Meeting will be held on April 28.