[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6587510,"mediaKeyId","5565098-8ac33d9523ef78216686ee8c5ae9b538","parentId",5565098,"title","Rochester board tables changes to video-conferencing rules, asks outside counsel for guidance","audioSeconds",2665,"startMs",6515000,"endMs",9180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565098-8ac33d9523ef78216686ee8c5ae9b538&start=6515&end=9180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565098-8ac33d9523ef78216686ee8c5ae9b538/thumbnail_6515000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587510/New-York/Rochester-board-tables-changes-to-video-conferencing-rules-asks-outside-counsel-for-guidance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587510-269d91dd0f9f21e2cc9de2618f10bcbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510749&Signature=ev9---6LY6XXprAXt-c5pajtyIxUigJ3gqombdSIks3mCp8uQaJvvDQhK6XzyOICnGF15q5KHM9dorGQznFltlYS17Mvu-nVJrcHf~FaXXMXABJ5zMrc7lvNRLbnbDLfgSbqg6VaRFnsAqiLmB2wKv6kY3WinRD0iCsYsqnFKRdko-Ex1ix1l9x3zPEiDKIfCj22IY4hfpJCa~X2mvJJ~1tJro1mvD6xLn7bKe0EuJEq-bbzaWwvMLCD0IgO9A1WIuQBmCGtE7iZbURt-PJuCOb4PeCoEhg0B9uT~IB6k42hhq6yBLVtb3rsaYOGXbC1~1lUgTvbXuGb9wgtUbujiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rochester City School District","date","2025-08-13T00:33:08.813Z","article","The Rochester City School District Board of Education on Aug. 12 tabled further changes to its video‑conferencing policy (23.25) and asked outside counsel and professional associations to return with recommended revisions and legal guidance.

Why it matters: Commissioners expressed deep concern about perceived overuse of remote participation, the public’s right to in‑person oversight, and accountability for elected officials. Others urged caution to preserve legally authorized disability exceptions and to avoid viewpoint discrimination when enforcing decorum.

What the board discussed

Board members spent more than an hour debating how to balance public access, legal requirements, and commissioner accountability. President Simmons framed the issue as a public‑trust matter, saying the board ‘‘is answering to the public’’ and urging clearer rules that preserve in‑person presence when possible. Commissioner Griffin proposed tightening the policy so that only one or two members could participate remotely unless the president authorized additional remote participation. Commissioner LeBron urged the board to preserve reasonable accommodation for commissioners with disabilities and noted that state law permits certain disability-based remote participation.

General Counsel Veil and the state monitor also spoke. Veil summarized the applicable Open Meetings Law provisions, explaining that extraordinary-circumstances and disability exceptions exist but are optional for any local public body to adopt in its written procedures; he cautioned the board that any restriction or muting regime must avoid unlawful viewpoint discrimination and should include procedural safeguards.

Several commissioners proposed specific accountability measures: clearer notice requirements (24‑hour advance notice for planned remote participation unless circumstances prevent it), written notification to the board clerk and president, and limits on the number of commissioners allowed to participate remotely. Commissioners also raised operational details such as whether the chair can mute a remote commissioner and what appeal or review process would follow if a chair mutes a member during a meeting.

Outcome

Commissioner Griffin moved, and Vice President Malloy seconded, a motion to table the proposed policy changes and seek written guidance from CGCS (the district’s counsel) and NISBA (New York State school board association). The motion to defer passed by voice vote; the board directed staff to collect commissioners’ suggested language and provide it to counsel for review.

Clarifying details and next steps

- The board asked staff and counsel to prepare a draft that addresses (a) the definition of \"extraordinary circumstances,\" (b) notice and documentation requirements for remote participation, (c) whether to limit the number of remote commissioners, and (d) an appeal or review procedure should a chair mute a participant.

- General Counsel Veil advised that any muting or decorum enforcement mechanism should include a clear appeal path to avoid claims of viewpoint discrimination.

Ending: The board will return to the video‑conferencing discussion after counsel and the professional association review suggested language and provide a recommended draft for the board to consider at a future work session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Districtwide Safety Plan and Charter School Public Hearing | Board Work Session | July 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board tabled proposed amendments to the district’s video-conferencing policy (23.25) after an extended debate about in-person quorum, disability exceptions, and mutual accountability. The board asked outside counsel (CGCS) and the New York State school board association for written guidance before further changes.","taxTitle","Rochester City School District, School Districts, New York","taxId",14389,"location","New York","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},6587512,"Rochester board rescinds civic-education policy, forwards several policies to business meeting",919,2037000,2956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565098-8ac33d9523ef78216686ee8c5ae9b538&start=2037&end=2956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565098-8ac33d9523ef78216686ee8c5ae9b538/thumbnail_2037000.jpg","/articles/6587512/New-York/Rochester-board-rescinds-civic-education-policy-forwards-several-policies-to-business-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587512-04fddaa47c171b03d2b64a25ba24398d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770510748&Signature=MslCMSiC0AAoh-emZGROGJuSd03wJiDq49ssIAxY-2GAd3eyDSgpnLTIaPz5big~JZjQCefAvD5u9fG7bsxyZb2NPtItbPEMzjTFmTnATFugpOXhUDWvIdKc6XTi9E5zIr7CaF~zeWX1akwpwM4yjBgp3dbUjJEdMP7omj1gpCIGTqVl~043IGxDZ646hTdRbFLDgF3LJA-ZjjeS9~Qu2VVZ5vE6N2HzFSUS3QnCQB~jdoziFtVukRO02bxp7f5XykcIWzWXTUibqhGr1uQpr6uCL8x3nyFUdDPV703A10jdiSRgM6omxuBlmH4J8Z0KIlpaF9Yx9LAIkpvnNdZNTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rochester City School District Board of Education voted to rescind Policy 43.11.2, the district’s civic-education policy, during its Aug. 12 work session and forwarded several other policy updates to the upcoming business meeting for final action.

The vote to rescind was made by motion, carried by the board and recorded as 5–2. Commissioner LeBron moved to rescind the policy; Vice President Malloy seconded the motion. President Simmons said the rescission will be reflected on board docs and that a resolution number will be assigned later.

Why it matters: Commissioners debated whether the district should retain local policy language that largely mirrors New York State civic-readiness requirements or remove district-level policy when state law already governs the subject. Supporters of rescission argued the requirement is state-mandated and that local policy duplicates law; opponents said keeping a district policy signals seriousness and can help secure implementation and local supports.

What happened in the meeting

- The discussion opened after staff introduced Policy 43.11.2 (civic education) and presented New York State guidance on civic readiness, including the state’s “seal of civic readiness” and suggested curricular elements. State monitor and staff said resources already exist through NYSED to support civic-readiness work.

- Commissioners split on approach. Commissioner Santiago said: \"I don't believe the answer is in policy; it's in the operation,\" urging the board to focus on how the district implements civic education. Commissioner LeBron argued, in essence, that \"we don't need a policy when something is law.\" Other commissioners said a local policy could strengthen commitment and implementation, particularly for students in Black and Brown communities, while some said implementation and partnerships with outside agencies (for example, the board of elections) are more important than the policy text.

- After debate, Commissioner LeBron moved to rescind Policy 43.11.2; Vice President Malloy seconded. The chair called the vote and the board carried the motion (recorded 5–2). President Simmons said a resolution number will be assigned and that the board waived the usual three readings required by Policy 24.10 (policy management) for this rescission.

- The board also moved other posted policy items and administrative motions toward the August business meeting for final votes. Commissioners voted to forward Policy 42.05, 42.06, 5000 and 5153 to the business meeting (motion carried; Commissioner Santiago recorded a nay on that motion). Policy 67.50 (vendor relations) was amended to remove the disparity-report deliverable from the policy language and the revised policy was carried to the business meeting for final action (Commissioner Santiago recorded a nay on both the change and the forwarding vote).

- The board removed one administrative resolution (an agreement tied to School of the Arts and the University of Rochester, listed in the draft packet) from the consent agenda to allow staff to supply additional information about the $6,000 annual payment cited in the agreement.

Votes at a glance

- Rescind Policy 43.11.2 (civic education): Motion to rescind carried; recorded tally 5–2; mover: Commissioner LeBron; second: Vice President Malloy; outcome: rescinded. (Resolution number to be assigned.)

- Policy 40.95 (High school to post-secondary education): Board agreed to defer further action and move detailed implementation discussion to the October work session to allow the superintendent time to present operational plans.

- Policies 42.05, 42.06, 5000, 5153: Board voted to forward these policies to the August business meeting for a final vote (motion carried; Commissioner Santiago recorded a nay).

- Policy 67.50 (vendor relations): Board voted to remove the disparity-study deliverable from the policy text (motion carried; Commissioner Santiago recorded a nay), and to forward the revised policy to the business meeting (motion carried; Commissioner Santiago recorded a nay).

- Administrative resolution related to School of the Arts and University of Rochester (packet item): Pulled from consent agenda pending additional information from staff about the nature of a cited $6,000 payment.

Discussion vs. decision: The transcript makes a clear distinction between expression of preferences and formal board action. Commissioners repeatedly said they preferred either local policy or operational fixes; the only formal, recorded decisions in this segment were the rescission of Policy 43.11.2 and the votes to forward or amend the other policies listed above.

Clarifying details and next steps

- President Simmons announced the board will assign a rescission resolution number and that Policy 24.10 (policy management) was waived for the rescission process. Staff will post the formal rescission documentation to board docs.

- Superintendent Rosser and staff were asked to return with operational details for Policy 40.95 (post-secondary supports) and will prepare a presentation for the October work session.

- The School of the Arts agreement was pulled from the consent agenda so the administration can present additional background and cost justification at the business meeting.

Ending: The board’s decisions remove the local civic-education policy but leave open multiple operational and implementation issues that staff and the superintendent were asked to address at future meetings.","At its Aug. 12 work session the Rochester City School District Board of Education voted to rescind Policy 43.11.2 (civic education) and forwarded multiple policy items and administrative motions to the August business meeting for final action. The board also agreed to postpone further work on the district’s post-secondary policy to October.","actionData","errors"]

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Rochester board tables changes to video-conferencing rules, asks outside counsel for guidance

Rochester board rescinds civic-education policy, forwards several policies to business meeting