The Rochester Board of Education held a public speaker forum and work session on September 16, 2025, focusing on the critical process of goal-setting for the district. The meeting emphasized the importance of narrowing down priorities to ensure effective decision-making.

During the session, board members discussed the principle that if everything is deemed important, then nothing truly holds significance. This concept was highlighted as a guiding factor in the board's efforts to identify and limit their focus to a manageable number of goals and guardrails. The aim is to collaboratively determine the highest priorities for the district.

Participants were encouraged to share their individual goals, with the intention of consolidating similar ideas into a cohesive set. This collaborative approach aims to foster a collective understanding of the district's priorities, allowing the board to deliberate on a refined list of objectives.

The meeting underscored the board's commitment to engaging with community input while striving to streamline their focus for the benefit of the Rochester City School District. The next steps will involve further discussions to finalize the prioritized goals, ensuring that the board's efforts align with the needs of the community and the educational objectives of the district.