May 26th 2022
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING MAY 26, 2022 0BSERVED BY CONSTANCE FLAHIVE ONLINEA 4th-grade student speaker addressed the Board concerning electric school bus use. Her report explained the research she had completed on the impact of non-electric buses and asked for continuation of the policy to replace current school buses with electric buses.
Reports are available on BoardDocs® Plus from the Bilingual Education Council (BEC), The Board Standing Committees (Audit, Equity in Student Achievement, Finance and Policy Committees), and Superintendents Myers-Small and Nelms (presented by Asst. Superintendent Spence). Verbal presentations were also given by the Parent Leadership Advisory Council (PLAC) and President Elliott. PLAC thanked teachers & staff for their work this year, especially the transportation staff. Issues of consistency in leadership at the chiefs’ level and parent representation on school teams were raised. BEC raised concern about hiring without input from any parent groups. They are requesting meetings with the recently hired Director of the Office of Parent Engagement.
President Elliott talked about the Board’s recent meeting with NYS Commissioner Rosa, Deputy Commissioner Young, and Regents Norwood and Turner, emphasizing the supportive relationships with them. Elliott also mentioned her preparation for the Budget Presentation to the City Council on May 31, her attendance at District Cabinet Meetings, and her school visits which are now focused on schools that are doing well to learn what can work in other Rochester City schools.
Dr. Myers-Small’s presentation focused on RCSD Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education definitions and action plans. She also presented information regarding the School Climate Survey (deadline May 31) and Graduation dates. The East EPO presentation focused on Community Partnerships.
Before moving to the Resolutions, the Board, at Commissioner Maloy’s request, considered President Elliott’s ruling to disallow the Commissioner’s request to present a Governance report. A Point of Order and request for appeal were entered and a vote was taken with four commissioners supporting the President’s decision. General Council Adrian Neil was asked for procedural information at several times during this meeting. In addition to providing counsel, he at several points reminded the commissioners to be cautious during these discussions not to disclose matters discussed during Executive Sessions. Note: Discussion on the topic of the issue not discussed at this point occurred during Policy 2300 amendment discussion later in the meeting.
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 the public viewing during the process. Most discussion involved concerns by the Board for additional clarity from the District and stressed the need for transparency in funding. Several questions arose as to potential unreasonable costs without additional clarity. Resolutions 600 – 656 were approved or approved with amendments to clarify funding, with some exceptions. Resolution 604 and 647 were tabled until June 14; Resolution 604 consisted of amendments to previously approved items and Resolution 647 was a 3-year contract for Gallup, Inc. to facilitate district leadership in work to address the climate in the RCSD. Concerns were raised regarding the need for consultants for the already well-paid leadership team. The District is to submit additional details on both resolutions to the Board prior to a vote during the June 14 Board meeting.
A motion to change the Human Resources Committee Chair to Beatriz LeBron was discussed and approved.
Board By-Laws Policy 2300 was amended to discontinue the Standing Committee known as Board Governance and Development as a step toward satisfying the State Monitor Academic Work Plan and Financial Plan which set forth recommendations for various changes to improve accountability and efficiency. During the discussion, Commissioner Maloy was able to put forward her disapproval of eliminating the committee she chaired. Commissioners all presented their arguments for the decision. A key element discussed was the lack of confidence in the bias training that was provided by an outside firm under Governance. The resolution (654) carried with Maloy the only dissension.
Commissioner Powell presented recommended Policy revisions for first and second readings.
Policy 0320, Evaluation of the Superintendent, is being held for further discussion. Questions also rose regarding the Policy 5100, Student Attendance, and Policy 7600, Closure of School Buildings. Policy 7600 is particularly important due to implications for next year’s decisions regarding school closures. Discussion revolved around equity and the need to carefully consider the meaning of the line ‘the plan must look at the equitable distribution of the remaining facilities to which students would be assigned.’ Equitable location of school buildings would be a key indicator that the district is seriously considering equity in the decisions being made across the district. It was noted that a definition of equity should be discussed district wide.
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.
2022-23 CONTINUING BUDGET PROCESS:
SPECIAL MEETING: BUDGET ADOPTION MAY 10, 2022 0BSERVED BY CONSTANCE FLAHIVE
The Board of Education gave its approval for the 2022-23 RCSD Budget of $1,115,107,225. To begin the meeting, Superintendent Myers-Small presented the final results of the work which included specifics of the additional funding for Food Services. The brief PowerPoint highlighted alignments to her Strategic Plan and the State Monitor’s Academic and Fiscal Plans and indicated that the budget was balanced. It was noted that NYS Education Commissioner Rosa considers the budget balanced and aligned and approves it with the current adjustments. State Monitor Jallow stated in this meeting that there have been major improvements in the budget, but she is not fully satisfied. She will continue to monitor and ask for documented evidence going forward. Commissioners presented their closing position with each raising their own concerns. Commissioners LeBron, Maloy, and Simmons voting against; Adams, Patterson, and Powell supported the budget with reservations. President Elliott voted for the Budget while raising questions about promised staff and Charter Schools, saying ‘there is still work to do but what will we do if we do not pass it?’ Next dates: May 31: Presentation of the Budget to City Council June 14: City Council Budget approval meeting at 7:30 P.M.