Volume 1, Issue 5
April 2026
Rochester Board of Education
Roc BOE News
Board Goals Through June 2031
All students reading by third grade –Increase the percentage of students proficient on the 3rd grade NYS ELA from 22% to 49%.
Increase the percentage of students in grades 3-8 who are proficient on the NYS ELA assessment from 19% to 34%.
Increase the percentage of students in grades 3-8 who are proficient on the NYS Math assessment from 16% to 31%.
Increase the number of students earning 5 or more credits in 9th grade from 73% to 81%.
President ’ s Desk As we enter the fourth marking period, we begin the final stretch of the school year, a time marked by key milestones for our students, educators, and families. From end-of-year assessments and Re- gents examinations to graduation and summer school preparation, this season reflects both culmi- nation and transition. The Board of Education recognizes and commends the dedication, resilience, and hard work demon- strated across our school community. Reaching this point is a testament to our shared commit- ment to student success.
Inside this issue:
The Board is also actively engaged in budget delib- erations to ensure our financial decisions remain strategic and aligned with student needs. We continue to strengthen our governance prac- tices through partnerships with the Council of Great City Schools and the New York State School Boards Association, reinforcing our commitment to accountability and improved outcomes for all stu- dents.
Student Outcomes Focused Governance
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Advisory Group Corner
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School Transfers
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Don ’ t Forget To ….
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Camille Simmons Board President
Can Someone Please HELP ME?!
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Engaging with the Board
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Roc BOE News
Student Outcomes Focused Governance
Deliverable: Unity & Trust Adopt an updated governance handbook.
Student Outcomes do not change until adult behaviors change. As part of the SOFG model, the Board is currently implementing items under the Communication & Trust, and Unity & Trust deliv- erables. Deliverable: Communication & Trust Redesign the Board ’ s meeting agenda and calendar to be student outcomes focused. • Approximately 50% or more of Board-authorized public meeting time will focus on student outcomes, including effective and disciplined pro- gress monitoring conversations
• This can lead to a decrease in the length of meetings due to the student outcomes focus mindset. • You may start to notice differ- ent types of questions being asked by Board members dur- ing meetings. Board members will begin focusing on more strategic questions and less technical and tactical questions. • Redesigning the Board meeting agendas will allow clear com- munication of information to Board members and the com- munity, in turn building trust in the school district.
• The Board is working to update its current governance handbook to align with the SOFG model. • The governance handbook will provide clear expectations, vi- sion, and direction for the Board, working towards a student out- comes focused school district. • Updating the handbook will help the Board build unity and trust with each other and clear expec- tations. For more information about the Student Outcomes Focused Gov- ernance (SOFG) framework, visit https://www.rcsdk12.org/sofg.
by the Board based on the Superintendent ’ s progress monitoring updates.
DID YOU KNOW ….
DID YOU KNOW ….
Board policies are reviewed regularly with input from advisory committees, District staff, and community stakeholders.
Community members can provide feedback on policies under review through public comment and written submissions.
Advisory Group Corner
Get Involved in District-wide Advisory Groups!
Are you a current RCSD student or parent? Are you aware that there are three District-wide parent groups and one District- wide student group? For Students The Student Leadership Congress (SLC) is a body of student leaders representing their respective high schools and serves as the voice of students to the Board of Educa- tion, Superintendent, District administration, and community leaders. Participating members offer their perspectives on educa- tion policies, school climate and
inform their administrators about relevant citywide school issues. For more information, visit https:// www.rcsdk12.org/youth. For Parents District-wide groups offer parents and caregivers a space to engage in advocacy and support their children ’ s education. Most parent groups meet monthly. District-wide parent groups in- clude: 1. Bilingual Education Council (BEC) 2. Parent Leadership Advisory
Council (PLAC) 3. Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) For more information about each District-wide group, visit https:// www.rcsdk12.org/parentgroups, or contact the Office of Parent Engagement by emailing parentcenter@rcsdk12.org or calling 585-324-9999. To learn more about participating in a school-based student or par- ent group, contact your school.
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Volume 1, Issue 5
School Transfers
Voluntary Transfers Voluntary transfer applications will be accepted from April 30 th to June 30 th for the 2026-27 school year. Students will be placed by August 31 st if seats are available in the desired school. Voluntary transfers will be per- mitted only once at the elemen- tary level, once at the middle school level and once at the high school level. 11 th and 12 th grade students will not be permitted a voluntary transfer.
To apply for a voluntary transfer, visit https://www.rcsdk12.org/ transfer. Other Transfers Safety, medical, and hardship transfers are available throughout the school year. To begin this process, contact your child's school as this type of transfer requires additional documenta- tion and participation from school administrative staff.
fication from District personnel about the acceptance or denial of a safety, medical, or hardship transfer request. School transfers is outlined in Policy 5153, Parent Preferences/ Managed Choice Policy, and pro- cedure is outlined in Regulation 5153-R, Voluntary Transfer Pro- cess Regulation. For the full policy and regulation, visit https:// www.rcsdk12.org/policy.
Once a transfer has been re- viewed, families will receive noti-
Don ’ t Forget To ….
As the last two months of the 2025-26 school year wraps up, remember: Feedback Survey by April 30th: Provide feedback on the District ’ s Strategic Plan, and the State Moni- tor ’ s Academic and Fiscal Plan by
Implementation of Individualized Education Programs and Individualized Education Services Programs (Policy 4210): Has your child ’ s Individualized Education Program (IEP) received its annual review? If not, connect the Department of Special Educa- tion at 585-262-8220 to deter- mine next steps. Remember that the old IEP remains in effect until a new one is finalized. Graduation Ceremonies (Policy 4772): Are you unsure if your child will be graduating? Participation in the graduation ceremony and related
activities will be predicated on satisfactory completion of all gradu- ation requirements, or as otherwise described in this policy. Students may be denied participa- tion in the graduation ceremony and related activities as a conse- quence of violations of the Code of Conduct. For the full policies, visit https:// www.rcsdk12.org/policy. The 2026-27 school year Board meeting calendar and at a glance District calendar are available at https://www.rcsdk12.org/calendar.
“ If you can dream it, you can do it. ”.
April 30, 2026 at https:// www.rcsdk12.org/about/ community-forums.
- Walt Disney
Promotion and Retention of Students (Policy 4750) : Connect with your child ’ s teacher if you are unsure of their academic status to determine if they may need summer school.
Can Someone Please HELP ME?!
Oftentimes our District families, staff, and community reach out to the Board Office, a Board mem- ber, and/or register to speak at a Board meeting because they do not know who to call, or they feel unseen or stuck. While the Board and its depart- ment are always happy to assist our families, going directly to the District staff who can resolve the issue is often the fastest way to get help. The right connection makes all the difference.
When you are not sure where to start, here are two resources available to you: RCSD Family Services: When our families have an issue or concern, we want to provide you with a clear method for com- municating those concerns. We ask that you follow the process outlined on https:// www.rcsdk12.org/familyservices, which provides the appropriate steps to take for most school- related issues.
Let ’ s Talk! Customer Service Platform:
The District is utilizing Let ’ s Talk! to help create new lines of com- munication for school and District services for parents, staff, stu- dents, and our community to ac- cess anytime, anywhere. Visit https://www.rcsdk12.org/letstalk for more information on the Let ’ s Talk! platform. Clear communication helps us re- solve concerns faster, so we can stay focused on what matters most—our students ’ success.
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Rochester Board of Education
Board of Education Meetings
WHEN ARE PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS : The Board of Education meets monthly the second Tuesday at 6pm for Work Sessions, the third Tuesday at 5:30pm for Speaker Forums, and the fourth Thursday at 6pm for Business Meetings. At least once a year, the Board meets the first Tuesday at 6pm for Audit Committee meetings. Periodically, the Board may convene for other public meetings. For the Board ’ s most up to date calendar, visit www.rcsdk12.org/calendar. WHERE ARE BOARD MEETINGS HELD: Unless otherwise specified, all Board meetings can be accessed in-person at 131 West Broad Street, 14614 in Conference Room 3A/3B, or online at www.rcsdk12.org/youtube or www.rcsdk12.org/rcsdtv. WHERE ARE BOARD MEETING MATERIALS: All Board meeting agendas and materials can be found at www.rcsdk12.org/boarddocs. Meeting materials are typically available two days prior to the meeting. SPEAKER FORUMS: The Board values input from the community, as such input can directly inform Board discussions and decision-making. To facilitate this, the Board hosts a monthly Speaker Forum dedicated to receiving public comments. Forums are held at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month (unless otherwise noted). An individual may register to speak and/or submit a written comment by contacting the Board of Education office by noon on the day of the meeting, by calling (585) 262-8525 or emailing boardofeducation@rcsdk12.org. The fol- lowing information must be included: name, telephone number, email address, home address, affiliation (student, parent, community member or staff) and the topic on which the individual wishes to speak on. Excluding staff, individuals who do not reside within the City of Rochester do not have the privilege of speaking and/or submitting written comments at meetings, except when exception is granted by the chair of the fo- rum. Excluding public hearings, Speaker Forums will be the only opportunity for the community to address the Board.
Board Upcoming Public Events Tuesday, May 5, 2026: Board Budget Vote (6:00pm) Tuesday, May 12, 2026: Work Session (6:00 pm) Wednesday, May 13, 2026: Employee Recognition (5:30pm) Tuesday, May 19, 2026: Speaker Forum (5:30 pm) Thursday, May 28, 2026: Business Meeting (6:00 pm) Tuesday, June 2, 2026: Audit Committee (6:00 pm) Tuesday, June 9, 2026: Work Session (6:00 pm) Wednesday, June 10, 2026: Scholar Athlete Recognition (5:30 pm) Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Speaker Forum (5:30 pm) Thursday, June 18, 2026: Business Meeting (6:00 pm)
We ’ re on the Web! www.rcsdk12.org/boe
ACROSTIC PUZZLE Each clue below has a word as the answer. Fill in the blanks with your best guesses.
Become a Parent or Student Advisor
Parent Advisors and Student Advisors serving in an advisory capac- ity to monthly Board Work Session may be appointed in alignment with exhibit 2300-E3. The Board recognizes the role that parents and students play in our school communities and requests that parents and students play an active part in the fiscal oversight and accountability functions of the Board. WHO CAN SERVE? Interested Parents: Only parents and legal guardians of students currently attending the Rochester City School District who are not employees of the District will be allowed to serve. Interested Students: Only students currently attending a Roches- ter City School District school, in grades 8 th through 12 th , having good academic standing, and on track to graduate will be allowed to serve.
B
O
A
R D
CLUES 1. Two letter word for yearly plan for spending District funds. 2. What students strive to achieve through their learning and success in school. 3. Group responsible for governing the school district. 4. An official decision approved by the Board of Education. 5. A group of schools in a community governed by one Board of Education.
For more information and how to apply, visit www.rcsdk12.org/ boerep.
CONTACT US: Rochester Board of Education
131 West Broad Street Rochester, NY 14614 Phone: 585-262-8525 Fax: 585-262-8381 Email: boardofeducation@rcsdk12.org
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