Parent reps for RCSD board committees sought

The Rochester City School District’s Board of Education is seeking parent representatives to serve on its committees.

All parents or legal guardians of current RCSD students can apply to be on any of the board’s groups as long as they don’t have a financial stake in a committee’s work, the district’s website says. The Audit, Community & Intergovernmental Relations, Equity in Student Achievement, Finance & Resource Allocation, Human Resources, and Policy Development & Review committees are all open for applications, which Board President Cynthia Elliot says are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Parent representatives are non-voting members who can advise elected board officials by raising questions and comments relevant to a committee’s area of concern. Serving can be both an opportunity to learn and a chance to inform decision making. 

“Serving on committees helps parents better understand district policies, processes, and programs,” Elliot says. “Parent reps can influence the direction of discussions and ultimately decisions being made by the board. One of the most valuable components is the ability to elevate the lived experiences of district families as well as sharing pertinent information with other families.”

Terms for parental positions run from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and come with a two- to four-hour time commitment monthly for Tuesday night committee meetings (which can be attended via Zoom or in person at the district’s central office) and an additional one to three hours per month to review related documents and presentations, Elliot says. 

This comes on top of a one-hour orientation. The district asks each parent to sign on for two years—one to serve as a representative and a second to mentor a replacement—but the second year is optional.

Applications will be reviewed by the entire board, and recommended applicants will be sent for final selection to each committee, according to last year’s call for parent representatives. Selections will be made based on applicants’ prior experience and interest in their desired committee’s focus area. Each focus area is as follows:

■ The Equity in Student Achievement Committee reviews academic metrics, reports, and policies with the aim of advancing student achievement. 

■ The Human Resources Committee has say over an array of matters, including diversity initiatives, new positions, and strategies for recruitment and retention.

■ The Audit Committee aims at securing the proper use of funds in the district by reviewing internal processes, recommending changes, and identifying routes to boosting accountability.

■ The Finance & Resource Allocation Committee is more budget-directed and monitors the district’s balance sheet to suggest specific spending and revenue-generating items to approve.

■ The district’s policies and priorities are set and evaluated against all levels of the law by the Policy Development & Review Committee. 

■ Finally, the Community & Intergovernmental Relations Committee sets the board’s legislative agenda and cooperates with government and local groups to get the district’s concerns handled.

Applications can be submitted by email, mail, or fax. Appointed representatives will be notified by letter and email once they are chosen.

Justin O’Connor is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer.The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. Submissions to the Letters page should be sent to [email protected].