Rochester superintendent lays out 2026-27 budget priorities after community survey

Superintendent Eric J. Rosser presented the Rochester City School District's proposed priorities to guide development of the 2026-27 budget, telling the Board of Education on Nov. 20 that the list is grounded in a community feedback process and aligned to the district's strategic plan.

Rosser said the district collected 536 survey responses and convened two community budget forums, outreach to parent groups and students, and targeted stakeholder conversations. "Nearly half of the responses came from our staff," he said, adding that parents and caregivers supplied about a quarter of responses. "The distribution tells us that the community wants us focused on instruction, safety, and the people who engage in this very important work on a day to day basis."

The superintendent listed five priorities that will lead budget development: investing in high-quality instruction and early literacy (with an emphasis on every student reading by grade 3); improving school climate and reducing chronic absenteeism while expanding restorative practices; recruiting, growing and retaining staff with equitable compensation and professional learning; strengthening community schools and family engagement; and improving operations, including transportation and facilities.

Chief Financial Officer Mr. McDowell, in the preceding finance presentation, cautioned that cash balances were influenced by the state aid timing: "In October, we received minimal state aid'I want to say the number was about $6,400,000. In September, we received about $80,000,000," he said, explaining fluctuations in the general fund cash position.

Board members pressed for clarity on how survey priorities translate into line-item budgets. Commissioner Santiago asked for specifics on how restorative practices and climate investments will be reflected, and Commissioner Griffin urged greater outreach to increase survey participation and for explicit attention to athletics and career and technical education (CTE). Rosser said the cabinet will align strategies to these priorities, build cost scenarios, and require each school and department to craft budgets tied to the priorities; he said that process begins the following Monday.

The board will review interim goals and guardrails at a Dec. 11 work session and consider budget proposals in subsequent public sessions ahead of the formal budget adoption process.

Ending: The superintendent asked the board to expect more-detailed budget scenarios and school-level proposals in coming weeks; the district said it will present interim goals to the board at the Dec. 11 work session.