Board Business Meeting | July 30, 2026

The Rochester City School District Board of Education held a business meeting on July 30, 2026, which included extensive discussions on financial reports, curriculum adoption, and security contracts. The finance report highlighted the district's cash balances, revenue summaries, and budget appropriations, noting ongoing reconciliations and audits. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the recommendation to adopt the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum for pre-kindergarten classrooms, following a formal RFP process and extensive stakeholder involvement. The board debated the merits of the new curriculum, with concerns raised about the lack of a pilot program and evidence of effectiveness, as well as the implementation timeline and costs totaling approximately $2.1 million. Additionally, the board discussed resolutions related to contracts with the Rochester Police Department for school security, with some members opposing continued funding of police presence in favor of community-based alternatives. The meeting also addressed board governance issues, including meeting schedules, protocols, and policy updates. Motions were passed to approve the finance report (with some dissent), amend certain resolutions, and adopt a meeting topics calendar. The board agreed to explore alternatives to the police contract for future school years. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters.