Rochester educators, payroll staff press board on Oracle pay failures; board approves walk‑on vendor support

Dozens of Rochester City School District employees and union representatives addressed the board Oct. 30, describing ongoing payroll and benefit errors after the district’s July move to the Oracle platform and demanding a public timeline, hardship reimbursements and accountability.

The district’s finance team said it has been working with Oracle and outside consultants to identify and correct errors and that the board approved a walk‑on resolution, numbered 2‑53, to allow additional vendor support. Commissioner Santiago announced he would vote no; the motion carried with two nays recorded.

“This is a frustrating time. There’s conflicting information, misinformation, and this is creating a lot of frustration, confusion, anger, and hurt,” Board President Simmons said during the speaker forum introduction. Several public commenters said the system’s failures are harming employees’ ability to pay rent, buy food and meet medical needs.

Payroll department employee Susan Maxwell told the board: “The Oracle system is not the correct…