Rochester Board of Education reopens review of code of conduct; sets May check and June vote

The Rochester Board of Education on April 7 continued its review of the district’s code of conduct (Policy 1400), pressing administrators to align disciplinary language with the district wellness policy, clarify appeal procedures and improve communications to families ahead of a state‑mandated adoption deadline in June.

Clerk Travis opened the discussion by recapping recommendations from the March 10 work session and reminding commissioners that any policy finalized at a work session would follow the adoption process in Policy 2410 and be presented for a vote at the June business meeting. “This presentation is just a recap of what happened at the last meeting and then moving forward,” Clerk Travis said.

Commissioners focused on several specific concerns. Commissioner Feman urged the board to keep recess and lunch available to all students and said: “I wanted to make sure that we don't take away recess as detention, not lunch as detention.” Commissioner Santiago pressed for clearer appeal instructions for long‑term suspensions and flagged language about students with disabilities, saying the draft reads, “The board recognizes that it may be necessary to suspend, remove, or otherwise discipline students with disabilities,” language she called disrespectful and potentially inconsistent with best practices. “This is not researchbased. This is not research proven. This is not best practice proven,” Santiago said, urging the board to hire an education firm to review best practices and prepare implementation plans.

A staff speaker who offered legal guidance explained the district’s statutory obligations regarding suspected child abuse and investigations by Child Protective Services, noting that the law requires the district to cooperate with CPS and—when appropriate for the protection of the child—may limit immediate parent notification so investigators can preserve the integrity of the inquiry. The speaker said the district does send notifications to law enforcement and parents “in those instances.”

Superintendent Dr. Roser said the district will ensure appeal instructions are clearly spelled out in suspension letters and the policy, and described plans to use professional learning days and the Parent University initiative to educate staff and families about the code of conduct and appeals processes.

The board agreed to continue refining the draft and to take a ‘pulse check’ at a May 12 work session; an ad hoc committee of three commissioners (Feman, McCulla and Vice President Malloy) will review language before the June vote. President Simmons said the timeline is driven by the state mandate but that the board will separate short‑term “low‑hanging fruit” changes from longer‑term issues that may require additional research and implementation time.

The next formal step will be the May 12 work session, during which the administration is expected to present updated language, answers to commissioners’ questions and a plan for communicating changes to staff and families.