[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6263028,"mediaKeyId","3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301","parentId",3109017,"title","Rochester superintendent says DEI director post removed to reduce federal funding risk; community speakers press for continued supports","audioSeconds",1059,"startMs",2238000,"endMs",3297000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301&start=2238&end=3297","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301/thumbnail_2238000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6263028/Michigan/Rochester-superintendent-says-DEI-director-post-removed-to-reduce-federal-funding-risk-community-speakers-press-for-continued-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263028-ebb9fe86c68e1ed712072bca553c6b66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158861&Signature=U0DlRJRME77FVI14PfthHYjLGcj90Npv0VbMjrpx98AsG88W3ema93COoZ4n6d6xUkO5Kh915vsyrf2MuhlIQPa0O6MRKV6LQW3Ov~RtfjROCKvk47ntQNb7KaIq2N2tQYFIp~3DWognPX5QUr-2z6mwKkqAHBewtmqtpM4AC40-JMNbszHzVCXVPBtnuy~hTiWmokBFxXZvFbJt650LB5t7EdS7P8u-WsLwO95CRAFWQe3x1l4W-sQLzHqHFtc0fDaThO6BJ4h3A3BLdZF0t1zGoOvELnyxwNIUsS3EVNKZ~mOKywGnnUQ~BPmIQ4mT6AwfFBpKDlrnn91wBUY7zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rochester Community Schools","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Andrew Russo announced at the April 21 Rochester Community Schools Board of Education meeting that he has eliminated the district's Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position as part of a risk-reduction effort tied to shifting federal enforcement guidance.

Russo told the board that the change followed a U.S. Department of Education request, dated April 3, 2025, asking Michigan to certify compliance with civil-rights requirements. \"Because of the shifting positions by the U.S. Department of Education, we were advised that there was a substantially increased risk of funding loss,\" Russo said. He said the district made the change to protect roughly $10,000,000 in annual funding that supports all students and staff.

Community members, current and former staff, and the Rochester Education Association president urged the district not to eliminate the functions and supports they associate with DEI work. Cheryl Heinegger, a parent and long-time district volunteer, said the position had been elevated after past incidents and legal disputes and warned that losing a dedicated officer will \"undo\" sustained progress. \"I fear without a dedicated DEI officer to continue to drive meaningful and sustained change, all of our gains will be lost,\" Heinegger said during the public comment period.

Liz Schreck, president of the Rochester Education Association, told the board the union's members remain committed to inclusion and equity in classrooms. \"Fostering diversity, ensuring equity, and cultivating inclusion are not separate initiatives but rather the very foundation of the work we do,\" she said.

Supporters of the superintendent's move said it responded to real legal and financial uncertainty. In his remarks, Russo said the district's legal advisers counseled that the mere existence of a cabinet-level DEI position could increase exposure during an aggressive federal enforcement push; he described the change as an effort to reduce the district's enforcement risk while continuing programs through other structures.

Trustees and community speakers asked how the district will preserve services and measurable supports previously associated with the DEI office. Several speakers asked specifically that nothing intended to help vulnerable students be cut. Albert Rush, a longtime volunteer, said that when the position existed parents and staff had a clear place to raise concerns and get administrative help.

Board members debated whether the subject should be handled by committee, legal counsel or the superintendent's office going forward. Trustee comments at the meeting reflected a range of views: some trustees urged the district to preserve the underlying work and measurable supports even if the title is removed; others said the change was a prudent step to protect federal funding.

What happens next: Russo said the district will continue services and programming, will seek legal guidance as positions evolve and will provide implementation details through staff briefings and future board materials. Several speakers asked the board to clarify precisely which functions and staff will be retained and how the district will measure and publish outcomes that previously were overseen by the DEI office.

The board did not take a formal vote to remove the position; Russo presented the administrative decision and invited continued public dialogue and follow-up through staff reports and upcoming work sessions.

Community reaction at a glance: public comments reflected strong concern from parents and staff that the removal will reduce attention to bias, discipline disparities and culturally responsive supports. Educators emphasized ongoing classroom-level commitment to students; community members urged transparency and continued measurable work on inclusion.

Ending: Board members and administrators said they will return with more specific operational plans and with information about how the district will preserve services previously tied to the DEI office. The superintendent asked the public to watch for further reports and invited community members to share specific implementation questions through district channels.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Regular Meeting - April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Andrew Russo said he eliminated the district's Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion post to reduce the district's risk of federal funding loss after recent U.S. Department of Education enforcement guidance.","taxTitle","Rochester Community School District, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38230,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6263010,"Board at-a-glance: key motions and votes from Rochester Community Schools meeting",8091,754000,8845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301&start=754&end=8845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301/thumbnail_754000.jpg","/articles/6263010/Michigan/Board-at-a-glance-key-motions-and-votes-from-Rochester-Community-Schools-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263010-0ed34b834c7639c0e4fdc2c53696ac44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158861&Signature=KAuZqi8NTKWSjS7BHcVzUfSaQ0FHbFOS~CJsf1IKbtttQzdGe6wyQq5SyE48DsP74~cWc4FJftBAw4bebhd3ZVKYsmkL-JC-um9-zumjYz2WF9h-38CerTaRBpTbjB7ohObumGtpHZftABac0rMuzRH68-KcrxN-ZaWtqw1tWz4fEGosRThbC8ZxIbD2KAYmgxm3KgcXpH99VAjY2Bc5WM9WZl9~VHYqbWmBRUGbu9doGvZWqdUI7AoANW-X56j09Mefv0WTmyJ2h~T5t204Chm9ufk3sLbR30XZ8~qmO~F4uPDljwgH1Ajxr9-6PY2oZWulbRVUWdAmp~b9Bj7gVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Below is a compact summary of formal board actions and official outcomes recorded at the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education meeting on April 21, 2025.

• Motion to amend the agenda to add a student privacy policy discussion (bathroom/locker-room access): moved by Trustee Lacui. Outcome: failed, tally 2–5. (The matter was discussed publicly during public comment but was not added to the meeting agenda.)

• Approval of agenda as presented: moved by Trustee Gupta and supported by Trustee Annis. Outcome: approved, tally 7–0.

• Consent agenda (items 6.2–6.7): Outcome: approved, tally 7–0. Item 6.1 (current bills payable) was removed for separate vote.

• Consent follow-up: Approval of item 6.1 (current bills payable through 03/31/2025, $15,010,516.86): moved by Trustee Annis, supported by Trustee Blake. Outcome: approved, tally 6–1.

• Purchase of 33 AEDs and cabinets from Aventric Technologies (ZOLL 3 AEDs), amount $65,890, using district security grant funding: moved by Trustee Annis. Outcome: approved, tally 7–0.

• Second reading and adoption of Policy 5.003 (purchasing): Outcome: adopted, tally 7–0.

• Annual reaffirmation of Policy 3.002 (parent and family engagement) under Title I: Outcome: reaffirmed, tally 7–0.

• Board selection of external financial auditor: after administration's recommendation and a replacement motion on the floor, the board approved Yoh & Yoh (listed in the transcript as Yo and Yo / Yoh & Yoh) for the 2024–25 audit contract. Final outcome: approved, tally 6–1. (There were earlier procedural motions to replace the administration's recommended firm; recording shows a replacement motion succeeded and the final vote was 6–1.)

• Amendment to the annual organizational items (to allow specific accounts to be established at Huntington Bank and to add and adjust administrative titles listed under authorized signers): Outcome: approved, tally 7–0.

Notes on procedure: most formal motions were recorded with counts rather than full roll-call names. Where the transcript recorded the mover and supporter, that information is captured above. The meeting transcript also contains numerous discussions, presentations (including a master property planning update and a technology refresh presentation) that did not require votes that evening.

Ending: Trustees asked administration to follow up with details on implementation, return with cost estimates for facility and program changes, and provide lifecycle and cash-flow documentation for the technology procurement.","The board voted on agenda items, consent matters, policy updates, purchases and the district audit contract. Highlights: motion to add a student-privacy discussion to the meeting failed; consent items and several policies were approved; the board approved AED purchases and selected an external auditor after a replacement motion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6263017,"District outlines $2.82 million Interactive Flat-Panel refresh from sinking fund; administration says vendor inventory secured",766,9252000,10018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301&start=9252&end=10018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301/thumbnail_9252000.jpg","/articles/6263017/Michigan/District-outlines-282-million-Interactive-Flat-Panel-refresh-from-sinking-fund-administration-says-vendor-inventory-secured","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263017-c5881cc992950413ec80f5310541a485/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158861&Signature=d8qrNudGihjt7kn8HMJnamJFYX58QqGvT5UylEdZDTwrtwh6RjrSbCur-0xOGZxaOneAgX1Ag6kxZRNbRWZUqiqerFyLmDx0rSxZERs~NH53xwME5aRgw9DvdWQJw9LokzQkJR86lPW2aMAz1DPejMlRjB8tAYStFc32W4VEx195QiJ7Ytt8iV3ZWI-k0d3QmkpnmYstcTGUW257OdVW~Q1YEk~qVWwftVhHeAjBfL~p0~RSBahr4QEmxAEoRcD6GUtD5AUrLlPeH0PRcfeidB-65oagvw3AFntkUtmY6savzK~BqWOxPO91~kBvjituuqGQmZDsmCv84u6maudSBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District technology staff presented a classroom-technology refresh plan at the April 21 Board of Education meeting and said the administration intends to use the sinking fund to replace aging interactive flat-panel displays and other classroom devices.

Jeff (presenter name varies in transcript) and Superintendent Andrew Russo described an instructional technology audit and focus-group process used to select replacement Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs). Technology staff said the district's existing panels were installed in 2017, have received earlier upgrades and are now showing signs of end of life; teachers have submitted hundreds of troubleshooting tickets for those panels since early 2023.

The district presented a recommended purchase of 723 interactive flat panels, with installation and removal of the old equipment, at a total cost of $2,821,507. The administration said vendor negotiations and a collective procurement process yielded a locked price and that inventory has been procured to avoid anticipated near-term supply and tariff-driven price spikes.

Technology staff said the updated panels include built-in speakers and improved accessibility, allow multiple students to interact simultaneously, and provide better recording and screen-sharing features teachers requested. The focus groups included elementary and secondary educators, special-education staff and community representatives. Staff also said the decision is part of a broader multi-year technology refresh plan tied to strategic-plan goal 11 and a separate facilities/sinking-fund timeline.

Board members asked about warranties, lifecycle costs and sinking-fund allocations. Administration said the sinking fund had been building across multiple years and that technology historically received a $1.5 million annual allocation; district leaders said some previously authorized sinking-fund dollars had not been spent and that the current procurement will draw on accumulated sinking-fund balances. The presentation also noted the district has already purchased 4,000 Chromebooks as part of a related refresh to avoid price spikes.

Administration warned that the technology sector's supply chain and tariffs are volatile, and said the vendor had agreed to honor the quoted pricing and deliver inventory under a negotiated arrangement. Installation was slated so that secondary rooms would be completed over the summer and elementary rooms completed by early fall.

Ending: Trustees thanked technology staff and asked for follow-up materials that clarify project cash flow, long-term maintenance costs and any ongoing operating costs the new panels would add. No board action was required at the meeting; the purchase was presented as an intended sinking-fund purchase to be acted on in subsequent budget approvals.","District technology staff recommended replacing aging interactive flat panels (IFPs) across the district; administration said the vendor has inventory and the order would be configured to replace secondary screens over summer and finish elementary early fall.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6263022,"Facility study: consultants find room to grow early-childhood and special-education programs as enrollment dips",206,3588000,3794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301&start=3588&end=3794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3109017-e2e095a637c771ea547c41ce34dec301/thumbnail_3588000.jpg","/articles/6263022/Michigan/Facility-study-consultants-find-room-to-grow-early-childhood-and-special-education-programs-as-enrollment-dips","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6263022-29577dbfc0921e6de503b884c2bcd7a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158861&Signature=ATrMXX1nZt~BOijJJq2UUpVO1c04gpTBtqbIdQ7tBLDQRNQ60Zvmcijn6fynw5bOeMiu0LsCovgHLSn9V4xZQTnjBPsPExdkgNrS1erH8sr0EVKviGdqkxFCyyiPqav6mzvKgk3NvjSVihB6ubCmJNNQaXMISCvt3ensCurFiHj8GG5asdcfFECUPZE4gMezUQbX3CWdydWHQKsawG3gfE6k8FF2AF1lgcIEyEUn53~9RIObt5wDdRFu8UGRocusY9S~o-42-wrHEUka1NwbkusjOOYb37lqD~Qtchxn7rgFoorNZ4FZTKY9Kdh630wtmrn8hBDSkNSwC-J3R2Jt8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plant Moran RealPoint presented findings Thursday after a district master property planning process that examined enrollment trends, building utilization and community priorities for Rochester Community Schools.

The consultants told the Board of Education the district's K–12 headcount has fallen from just over 15,000 in 2018 to about 14,140 in the most recent audited counts, a decline of roughly 872 students. Using SEMCOG and local enrollment models, the consultant team projected further declines over five years and estimated a possible headcount near 13,400 without offsetting changes.

Paul Wills, Partner at Plant Moran RealPoint, and senior consultant John Depew walked trustees through the demographics and classroom utilization figures. Depew said districtwide utilization benchmarks show elementary classrooms at about 88% of a standard target, middle schools at 83%, and high schools at 90% (the treasury's target cited in the presentation is roughly 85%). Depew said those percentages indicate the district has some spare capacity in parts of the system but is not facing immediate, district-wide overcapacity that would require school closures.

Consultants and administrators identified which buildings had seen the largest elementary declines (Baldwin, Brewster and University Hills) and which secondary sites had the most shrinkage (Hart and Stoney Creek). The advisory committee's surveys and committee deliberations prioritized three program areas for potential expansion: special education, early childhood, and career-and-technical education. The advisory committee recommended adding roughly 8–10 special-education classrooms and 9–12 early-childhood classrooms over the next five years, with one to two additional CTE spaces at the high-school level if the board chooses to pursue them.

John Depew said the team walked all 22 instructional facilities and counted classrooms, special-purpose rooms, and vacant rooms; the consultants said the district has only two rooms entirely unused, but several rooms used for offices or support services could be repurposed if programming demands required it. The report emphasized that the district's \u001ccapture rate\u001d (the share of local-age cohorts entering RCS) has remained around 7.2 percent even as local live births fell.

Trustees asked detailed questions about how early-childhood and special-education expansions would be implemented, whether multiple-site magnet or CTE programs would require transportation, and if repurposing classrooms would conflict with staffing or collective-bargaining limits. Plant Moran representatives and district staff said those operational implementation issues would be handled in subsequent planning steps and would require more detailed cost and scheduling analysis.

The presentation also summarized community survey results from a 70-person advisory committee: nearly 87 percent favored expanding early-childhood programs; committee members prioritized special education and early childhood as the top two needs, with CTE and magnet programming ranking lower. Consultants recommended the district use the next 1–5 years to align programming with facilities rather than pursuing immediate building closures or redistricting.

Ending: Board members thanked the consultant team and asked administration for a calendar of next steps and likely costs; the consultants said the master plan is a living document and can be updated as enrollment and community priorities change.

","Plant Moran RealPoint presented demographic and facilities analysis showing Rochester's K–12 enrollment down about 872 students since 2018 and projected to decline further; consultants recommended focusing on early-childhood and special-education expansion (9–12 and 8–10 classrooms respectively) rather than school closures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rochester superintendent says DEI director post removed to reduce federal funding risk; community speakers press for continued supports

Board at-a-glance: key motions and votes from Rochester Community Schools meeting

District outlines $2.82 million Interactive Flat-Panel refresh from sinking fund; administration says vendor inventory secured

Facility study: consultants find room to grow early-childhood and special-education programs as enrollment dips