Final East transition report: 31 items completed; RIA program to move into East building and staff reductions planned

All 31 items in the East transition memorandum of agreement were completed, Chief Blocker told the Rochester Board of Education at its June 9 work session: "All 31 of those were honored," he said, presenting the district's final East DPO transition update.

Why it matters: the changes reshape staffing and supports at East Lower and Upper schools ahead of the 2026–27 school year, while the district says it will keep targeted resources to support schools that remain in receiverhip.

What the board heard: Chief Blocker described several substantive operational changes for next year. Teacher leaders will transition to RCSD instructional-coach roles, reading teacher positions at East Lower will be reduced by two, assistant principal positions at the lower school and the freshman academy were eliminated, and one counselor position at the freshman academy was removed. The Rochester International Academy (RIA) will move into the East building as a standalone program and all RIA students will be placed there.

Chief Blocker said some elements of the former East model will be preserved under a school-level living contract that the faculty approved; he reported that 97% of East faculty supported the contract, which the administration plans to bring forward for consideration at the June 18 business meeting.

Board concerns and administration responses: Commissioners pressed how the reductions will affect schools that remain under state receiverhip. Commissioner Santiago asked whether cuts at East Lower would jeopardize progress; Dr. Roser and Chief Blocker said additional funds were provided to building principals so they can reinstate roles they consider essential, and district-level special-education and ENL coaches will continue to support schools.

Multilingual learners and RIA transition: Commissioners also asked how multilingual students coming from RIA will be supported. Officials said three multilingual language-assistant coaches — representing the top three RIA languages — will be stationed at East and that RIA instructional practices will be shared with East teachers through professional development. The board requested a focused presentation on bilingual and multilingual supports in August or September.

Special-education supports and coaching model: Chief Cody described a tiered allocation model that prioritizes CSI/receiverhip schools for additional staffing and said East will retain four core instructional coaches (English, math, science, social studies). Christian Swan confirmed an associate director of special education will be assigned to both East Upper and Lower.

What’s next: The living contract and several policy-level items tied to the transition will appear on the June 18 business meeting agenda; the district will provide follow-up information requested by commissioners on multilingual staffing counts and on how principals may use allocated funds to restore critical positions.

Quotes: "All 31 of those were honored," Chief Blocker said of the transition tasks. Commissioner Santiago pressed officials: "I see a lot of cuts that's going to be at the lower school...where are the plans to still get the school through receiverhip?" Administration answered that additional targeted supports remain in place and principals received allocations to prioritize essential positions.

Limitations: The presentation reports planned staffing and program structures for 2026–27; several details (final hires, exact dollar amounts for reinstated positions) were not provided on the record and were described as "to be determined" by building leaders and central office.

The board will consider the living contract and related transition items at its June 18 business meeting.