[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6656246,"mediaKeyId","5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9","parentId",5334433,"title","Board approves pool of outside law firms to serve district legal needs","audioSeconds",604,"startMs",12960000,"endMs",13564000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9&start=12960&end=13564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9/thumbnail_12960000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6656246/New-York/Board-approves-pool-of-outside-law-firms-to-serve-district-legal-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656246-e1564107f1ce021b2368a64f583ee90f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964160&Signature=Cvh9e-90y6sTd455-eeiYNDwbfIZ7Gu1H8EFYXUx8zT6DfOiGL4FSEhKutflJZlj8tjQUKaWhRQ15~8UIZI18yng0SmwFO9eo6tbT3Spve5EtLrRnlprvLcpQTGiugy8MT-EM147G-qMSIAvUlsrZedoRky9USCuh2tBT42stdCLSoXKLDu3GVIA1rEwQbvOmuU6WJxZl-OZIjaJBATk0ZShXdxoxqFE1fG4tV6felm32~Nd0tsYvzHhLjYJ-zXXo3-3698IBRR~muxHYIS7-0ntz4dlcuEMJ3QhZA57I1xZn5v11Y2qFr5UAYKRPaUwoURS~ysGCEam02hCwpl4kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rochester City School District","date","2025-07-09T02:23:14Z","article","The Rochester Board of Education approved a district solicitation for external legal services on July 8, establishing a roster of law firms to provide specialized or supplemental counsel as needed.

The board considered a resolution to authorize appointment of firms selected through a recent request-for-proposals process. Trustees discussed that the RFP expands the district's ability to hire outside counsel for matters that exceed in-house capacity or require specialized expertise. The clerk and general counsel said the RFP included both firms the district has used previously and new firms chosen to broaden the pool of expertise.

Vice President Malloy moved an amendment to make the effective start date July 9 (rather than Aug. 1) so the district could use newly authorized firms promptly; the amendment passed and the board then approved the resolution authorizing the pool. Board staff will publish contract details and manage engagement of outside counsel as needs arise.

The action does not name a single lead counsel for the board; instead the district will retain outside firms on a case-by-case basis depending on expertise and workload. Trustees said the RFP process was intended to improve transparency and ensure the district has access to appropriate legal resources for complex matters, such as labor, special education, student-discipline litigation and other specialized areas.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Contract for Excellence & Electronic Device Policy Public Hearing, Board Work Session | July 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees authorized a roster of external law firms selected through an RFP process to provide supplemental legal services; the agreement was approved with a revised start date to allow immediate use.","taxTitle","Rochester City School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",14389,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656250,"Rochester board rejects tentative RTA agreement after intense debate; 4-3 vote",1176,13074000,14250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9&start=13074&end=14250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9/thumbnail_13074000.jpg","/articles/6656250/New-York/Rochester-board-rejects-tentative-RTA-agreement-after-intense-debate-4-3-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656250-52bf622ab9e1f7d713c6a8890e6b52f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964160&Signature=D5idZMQ-LZ5I77z1sQNKQIdxGQSOl0vSHz3Hp6G6Y0A1X2LwDDNa3QHeRjcW36zku4oUvQSkRxS6w5RWwEjyHR79PEnsW9UIOlReb6~TXxisqXlK5Lf6-mgcDKuUBRMsik38IMb2youQx-4~7OjNRynIkl~RbEr2CgAmOxVdAD-NssIh5IZbj16wRtsCK4YOSVwx5CgHbxmTYGrntKirwC0Dm4T6Uz8RmxtO0tczbYn169uDTIxGPtoHyyNPhc7x2NM1puPWsYfQVu47V-Mr2wJeZXr~s1Ef6rBwffgYzNnOeG7YD0hU6-K50E~yCDvTpzKm2ZpTpn660H7kjFTTmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester Board of Education rejected a tentative memorandum of agreement with the Rochester Teachers Association (RTA) in a 4–3 vote on July 8 after a heated discussion about process, timing and long-term retention strategies.

The agreement had been ratified by the RTA and signed by district negotiators earlier in the week and then presented to the full board for approval. Board members spent significant time debating whether the board should approve a short-term, one-year package of increases and retention bonuses or press for a multi-year successor agreement. Commissioners also expressed frustration about the timeline and said they did not have adequate opportunity to review a tentative agreement before ratification by the union.

Commissioner Lebron, who moved the resolution, said she would vote yes despite reservations because she did not want to leave bargaining-unit employees without the signed terms they had believed were settled. Several commissioners said the district needs longer-term incentives and clearer links between pay and instructional outcomes. Vice President Malloy urged a three-year successor contract to promote stability and professional growth. Commissioner Patterson, a former teacher, said she would not support the agreement and urged the district to prioritize student outcomes and clearer evaluation tools, for example greater access to lesson plans for evaluating instruction.

After a roll call, commissioners LeBron, Santiago and Elliott voted yes; commissioners Malloy, Griffin, Patterson and President Camille Simmons voted no. With the noes in the majority, the board declined to approve the tentative RTA agreement.

Board members said the result does not end negotiations; multiple speakers urged both sides to return to the table and seek a multi-year successor agreement focused on teacher retention strategies, pathways for professional growth, and clearer performance measures tied to student outcomes. Several commissioners said the federal funding outlook, which could affect Title and Medicaid reimbursement streams, underscores the need for fiscal caution and a longer-term agreement to align workforce and budget planning.","After hours of discussion the board voted down a tentative agreement with the Rochester Teachers Association; trustees debated transparency, evaluation, and long-term retention strategies before the 4-3 vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656254,"Board debates new monthly speaker forum and adviser roles for parents and students",1949,6555000,8504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9&start=6555&end=8504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9/thumbnail_6555000.jpg","/articles/6656254/New-York/Board-debates-new-monthly-speaker-forum-and-adviser-roles-for-parents-and-students","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656254-4ac4ae0a040d15cf415956a6723d419c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964160&Signature=cIv0N4EOI-sVCkaOEmUms0nVkogB~8YxuBBcVx0H3QVxLVIQlH4Og~A70rg-Od-LvEDdxcOzRPPYdPmn-tETfE-Tc9VZTAmwIZEtkFYzTUUOF5JRe16ifYSouBfUzmOAUe2cRNEqM7RRxSWoBsSHJwd50JCV3V1XN6w6jmAGkUR-VhqTXYEh7sbtKhOqK33ObL3JTgFIyg1IfDITx8t~kboeJJM0WXHH60tusc~fncywoCDgQRJWu93c22OOsLcVWNzbf0HHxuEviiHCLFCHNqWTKF1LV5b2bskuuuTzuYrSx1WNu-IXp9YRQ0MJ0M0Pp~j8s7ikWEDHp2lxUycPOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester Board of Education discussed changing how the public participates in meetings, proposing a monthly speaker forum tied to work-session agenda items and renaming committee participants as “parent advisers” and “student advisers.” Commissioners agreed to develop the details before formally changing bylaws.

Board clerk Charisma Travis presented options July 8 after commissioners requested a single monthly forum for public input. Travis said the recommended forum would consolidate public comment into a standing monthly meeting focused on items on the work-session or audit agendas so community testimony aligns with actionable topics. Two start-date options were presented: begin in September 2025 (adding a third weekly meeting) or wait until February 2026 and replace an existing retreat meeting.

Several commissioners favored a forum that requires speakers to address work-session agenda items and recommended starting in September to respond quickly to community concerns. Commissioner Santiago said he supported the forum and would prioritize speakers with agenda items but also allow broader topics; Commissioner LeBron said speakers should be required to address agenda items to avoid diluting board time. Vice President Malloy and other trustees supported starting earlier given federal funding uncertainty affecting families. Time allotments for speaker sessions generated debate: some favored the existing 60-minute maximum, while others argued for 90–120 minutes for substantial topics.

Travis also asked whether the board would carry forward and rename the former committee parent and student roles. Commissioners agreed in principle to adopt “parent advisers” and “student advisers” as titles and directed staff to return with proposals for number, selection process and role definition. Commissioners asked that staff circulate a follow-up email so members can submit preferences on adviser counts and selection criteria.

Any change to public-comment rules will require a bylaw amendment, which the clerk noted needs at least five votes under the board’s rules. The board did not take a formal vote on the bylaw changes July 8 and will consider a formal resolution and communications plan before implementation. Travis said business meetings in July and August will remain the opportunity for public comment until any new process is adopted.","Trustees discussed replacing public comment at business meetings with a monthly speaker forum tied to work-session agenda items, and agreed to rename parent/student committee reps as advisers while details on selection and numbers will be developed.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656261,"New superintendent lays out 100-day plan emphasizing instruction, engagement and fiscal scrutiny",712,4568000,5280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9&start=4568&end=5280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9/thumbnail_4568000.jpg","/articles/6656261/New-York/New-superintendent-lays-out-100-day-plan-emphasizing-instruction-engagement-and-fiscal-scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656261-f9b2a0270109f591dd0b685a0cc047de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920298&Signature=Alx~2LgU5NXbFzvMiOmixt4Eu7Ck1RKMr4s0n2yvSQzZeZgdRWoMlWRoxXBEDgIunfAVyjNhvxEP6-Z-OchvD5Xw9YcDsrgXvAdk6sslaVKUjONjLhIjb81TS1ZE6WatnUQbY8SzbZufLGNN5v-MbTt~KEX7Yd5T0ajjh1Byi2LFC7RIyp6Ol8-IasGQi~EshRQhh5Z4-pV1aPULC4yoLF~uHDfKEQT23ZCUDR9WFwj67IT1n~JVc8KWMxSzk3qQlebfSfF9hM4mDOtCUvhkoXXygYo1iulLLz-8MrI4Y5oz-7L-3lF6s9qTzJl07OlE89AjL5LXqUZ3e7WrbUAMiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rochester City School District Superintendent Dr. Rosser outlined a public-facing 100-day plan before the Board of Education on July 8, prioritizing strategic alignment of central office and schools, instructional quality in literacy and mathematics, organizational culture and community engagement.

Dr. Rosser, who began work in the district days earlier, said the plan centers on five focus areas: strategic alignment, teaching and learning, organizational culture and health, organizational effectiveness and alignment, and engagement with families and community partners. She said the work will include a review of the district's academic organizational structure, assessments of literacy, math, special education and bilingual programs, and an examination of the district's feedback processes for school climate and safety.

The superintendent said her team will prepare a public-facing dashboard to track progress and will report back to the board after 100 days. She scheduled four districtwide “fireside chats” — Sept. 23, Jan. 13, March 24 and June 9 — and said a community conversation and ribbon cutting for a school renaming is planned for Aug. 23.

Commissioners asked how Dr. Rosser will provide accountability and periodic updates; she said a public dashboard and a report to the board are planned, and she expects to discuss reporting expectations at an upcoming board retreat. Commissioner Santiago specifically asked about board-facing accountability; Dr. Rosser said she will prepare a public dashboard and bring a findings report to the board after 100 days.

Budget and federal funding uncertainty featured prominently. Dr. Rosser told commissioners she has scheduled standing meetings with the state monitor, fiscal consultant, the mayor and county executive, and regular meetings with union and association leaders. She warned that recently enacted federal actions could affect Title funding and Medicaid reimbursement and that the district is reviewing potential impacts on roughly $33.8 million in Title funds, $11.5 million in ARP/CRRSA (referred to as IDA funds in discussion) and $3.8 million in Medicaid reimbursements mentioned in budget projections. Dr. Rosser said the district is taking an inventory of food-pantry capacity and community resources in anticipation of federal changes that may affect families.

Commissioners welcomed the plan and asked for frequent, transparent updates. Dr. Rosser said she will publish progress on the district website and share further detail at the board retreat and in the planned community sessions.","Superintendent Rosser presented a 100-day plan focused on strategic alignment, teaching and learning, organizational health and community engagement; she scheduled public 'fireside chats' and flagged federal funding uncertainty.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6656264,"Rochester board hears survey results on student electronic device restrictions ahead of July vote",478,558000,1036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9&start=558&end=1036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334433-3866b6ea13c3077df2200c0a1068b7a9/thumbnail_558000.jpg","/articles/6656264/New-York/Rochester-board-hears-survey-results-on-student-electronic-device-restrictions-ahead-of-July-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6656264-24667a660f0b59cb91c1ce3aafb2eed4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964160&Signature=j~a7wpEf2J-gBN1dAxrRWyB8~XTVkRd3jzjnP6guUxFBvDja4l7SvVgDJhmj0jU5EtIHww5snIZQwTmAURpC~ugGT9HtkH83ItH7Mwj74N3NQGCrUl8FmPLA27KKvCLwMd-ryt76P-jJgJOOOkp4UP9kjIXvHAMP8x~OwpkuBzK91gx02q4bVEiuwLCKD~Z-QiuU7d~P37KdVqJ2y75HIHY0yvvWlY6t7DxhJtCDjZMLHqINqEjTMN7woXXGj9xYyGTUKEPTdbEuNlPuZN-LHsYt47ekiv~je4tRUbjdU0233HZjgH1VYxdCWf4fEqiqI3tAUU9y60i69eoYkU4lOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester Board of Education heard preliminary survey results on a proposed policy to restrict student personal electronic devices, with administrators and trustees discussing emergency access, equity and special-education exceptions ahead of a scheduled July 31 vote.

Communications chief Marisol Ramos Lopez told the board on July 8 that the district had received 477 survey responses as of that evening: about 18% from students, 42.8% from parents and guardians and 39.2% from teachers. Ramos Lopez said respondents showed mixed views on restrictions, with a plurality supporting limits but a notable share opposed.

The survey asked how schools should store devices during the school day. Ramos Lopez said the top responses were lockers or secured storage, lockable classroom pouches (some schools use a commercially available Yonder pouch) and collection by school staff. She said the district's middle and high schools already use cell-phone policies and that school chiefs were working with principals on implementation. The survey remains open through July 11, she said.

Board members focused on how students and families would contact each other in emergencies and how disciplinary consequences would fit into the district code of conduct. Commissioner Lebron said her constituents worry both about parents needing to reach children and children needing to reach parents, and she asked how schools would decide what constitutes an emergency. Commissioner Patterson asked for raw numbers behind the percentages. Commissioner Griffin raised concerns about students with IEPs, 504 plans and other required accommodations and whether devices needed for instruction, translation, medical monitoring or caregiving would be exempt.

Ramos Lopez and Dr. Rosser, the superintendent, told the board that exceptions would follow Governor Kathy Hochul's guidance: devices required for instructional purposes, devices outlined in a student's IEP, equipment needed to manage medical conditions, devices required for translation or language access, and devices necessary for students serving as caregivers would be allowed. The district will publish school-level communication plans telling families how to reach students through the main office and how schools will handle emergency contact.

Ramos Lopez said the board would be presented with final survey data next week and that work to implement the policy would begin Aug. 1 if the board adopts it on July 31. She said schools will use multiple communication methods — direct school communication, robocalls, email, website posts and social media — to explain how families can reach students after a policy is enacted.

Board members asked that the district include in the question log plans for mental-health responses, enforcement methods that minimize exclusionary discipline, and how schools will handle non-phone devices such as smartwatches, tablets and wearable tech. Those items will be added to the board question log for follow-up.

The public hearing for this policy drew no in-person speakers that night; the district encouraged written comment via the website through Aug. 7.","District communications official presented preliminary results of a survey about Governor Hochul's student electronic device policy; board members pressed for clarity on emergency access, equity, IEP exceptions and discipline before final vote July 31.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves pool of outside law firms to serve district legal needs

Rochester board rejects tentative RTA agreement after intense debate; 4-3 vote

Board debates new monthly speaker forum and adviser roles for parents and students

New superintendent lays out 100-day plan emphasizing instruction, engagement and fiscal scrutiny

Rochester board hears survey results on student electronic device restrictions ahead of July vote