Rochester school board approves agenda, rejects additions to discuss complaint portal and add board comments

The Rochester Community School District Board of Education approved its meeting agenda unanimously after rejecting two proposed amendments, the board announced during a special meeting that also included public comment and a MASB training session.

Trustee Barb Annas moved to approve the agenda, with Trustee Alspa indicating support; the board later confirmed the motion passed "That's a seven-zero vote and the agenda is approved." The board first considered an amendment from Trustee Lecui to add a discussion about redesigning or eliminating the district's serious-complaint portal; Trustee Lausanne indicated support. Trustee Gupta said she would vote no because the portal had been publicly debated when adopted and could be referred to that prior discussion. The amendment failed after a roll call (approximately 2 in favor, 5 opposed).

A second proposed amendment, from Trustee Lacoue, sought to add a period for additional board-member comments at the end of the meeting; Trustee Lozanne supported the motion. Several trustees opposed, noting this was a special meeting and regular meetings occur next week for general business. That amendment likewise failed by an approximately 2-5 margin. The original agenda then passed unanimously.

The votes resolved the meeting's procedural disputes and allowed the board to proceed to public comment and the scheduled MASB workshop. The Board President read public-comment rules and timing before callers addressed the board; no formal actions beyond agenda votes were taken on policy changes that evening.