Superintendent backs mental‑health ad hoc recommendations and funds office expansion

Superintendent Rosser presented his assessment of the mental‑health ad hoc committee’s recommendations and told the board he supports the package of proposals to strengthen student mental‑health supports across the Rochester City School District.

Rosser said he will recommend amending relevant policy (including consideration of policy 5405) to include mental‑health training for staff, propose additional funding allocations to a restructured Office of School Culture and Climate, and pursue multiple revenue streams to sustain programs that currently rely on time‑limited funding — including the mobile mental‑health team (current funding expires June 30, 2027). He described program examples the district will prioritize: year‑round mental‑health awareness campaigns, expanded training for district staff and contracted providers, stronger coordination with community partners, and targeted reengagement programs for students returning from out‑of‑school placements.

Board members broadly praised the recommendations and asked clarifying questions. Commissioners wanted assurance that contracted providers and non‑teaching building staff (security, lunch monitors) would also have access to training; Rosser said administration plans a phased, multi‑year rollout to train all staff with priority given to high‑need schools and roles with frequent student contact. Rosser also described conversations with county leadership to explore tele‑mental‑health supports and other partnerships that could help sustain services.

What’s next: Administration will incorporate the recommendations into the preliminary budget and work with board staff to lay out a phased training schedule and funding plan, with more detail to come during budget discussions.