Special Meeting & Board Business Meeting | August 27, 2026

The Rochester City School District Board of Education held a special business meeting on August 27, 2026. The meeting included a detailed financial report highlighting a general fund budget of approximately $999 million, with $235 million encumbered primarily for charter school tuition and transportation contracts. The board discussed budget adjustments due to decreased state aid, including reductions in transportation, building, and charter transitional aid. The financial report also noted a fund balance of over $312 million, which remains untouched, and a projected cash flow that supports district operations without dipping into reserves. The board reviewed staffing updates, noting progress in filling vacancies but ongoing challenges in special education teacher recruitment, and discussed transportation readiness with 1,061 routes assigned and 30 routes still needing drivers. Several resolutions were considered, including amendments to budget codes and a modification to reduce certain homeschool assistant positions supporting multilingual families, with concerns raised about the impact on language services. The board also approved a walk-on resolution to apply for the My Brother's Keeper Family Community Engagement Program grant. Policy first readings were introduced, and the board emphasized the importance of student voice and mental health, reflecting on recent professional development conferences. The meeting concluded with community announcements and adjournment.