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Board votes to remove three committees from bylaws; debate surfaces over process and policy language changes
Summary
The Rochester City School District Board of Education voted to remove three committees (CIGR, HC and Finance) from its bylaws and held first readings on multiple policies. Several commissioners objected to the pace of changes and said required documentation had not been provided.
The Rochester City School District Board of Education voted on Dec. 19 to remove three standing committees — CIGR, HC and Finance — from its bylaws as part of a broader "committee diet" effort to streamline committee structure.
Vice President Lebron moved the bylaw amendment and Commissioner Santiago seconded. President Cynthia Elliott explained the change was needed before the board’s Jan. 2 reorganizational meeting so that chairs would not be named for committees slated to be removed. The motion passed by voice vote.
The change prompted a lengthy exchange among commissioners over process and transparency. Commissioner Griffin said the board had agreed in public meetings to further discuss the remaining work — and that he had not been included in interim discussions he expected. "I was not engaged in the decision making of this process and I have a problem with that," Griffin said during the meeting, pressing for clearer advance notice and for future conversations to occur with all commissioners present.
Commissioner Santiago said the record shows the board agreed Oct. 28 to remove the three committees and retain Audit, ESA and Policy committees, with further discussion to take place on the remaining calendar and structure. General counsel confirmed the bylaw language must be updated before Jan. 2 to reflect that removal.
Separately, the board conducted first readings on a slate of policy revisions, including policies on electioneering in schools, code of ethics, advisory bodies, video conferencing of board meetings, and board member orientation (Policy 2510). Commissioners pressed for more documentation regarding policy changes, especially language tied to equal employment/affirmative-action issues. Commissioner Griffin said he had requested additional materials — including records related to an EEOC matter and affirmative-action language — and said he had not received the requested documentation in time for the meeting.
President Elliott and general counsel said the question log and policy drafts were available; commissioners urged more direct communication when materials are provided. The board ultimately moved the revised language for Policy 2510 and voted to adopt the changes at the meeting; other policies were left at first reading for further review.
The dispute illustrated a recurring governance tension at the board: members cited the need for both timely action to meet procedural deadlines and for fuller pre-meeting distribution of supporting documents so that commissioners can evaluate policy changes before voting.
