Purpose of Public Hearings

The Board of Education shall schedule public hearings in accordance with the law and on occasions when it wishes to gather information and seek opinions on important issues affecting the District. The Board shall take no formal action at a public hearing. Typically, public hearings are noticed to the public at least 10 school days prior to the public hearing, this does not include charter school hearings as they are noticed as received. The time and place of the hearings shall be designated in the notice of the hearing.

For more information on the purpose and procedures, review the Public Board Hearings (policy 2390) and the Public Board Hearings Procedure (policy 2390-E1).

Types of Public Hearings

Generally, the Board of Education hold public hearings for the areas below. The Board may hold public hearings on other areas as needed.

Budget

Charter Schools

Code of Conduct (policy 1400)

Contract for Excellence

Districtwide School Safety Plan

State Monitor’s Academic & Fiscal Plans

Participation in Public Hearings

In an effort to ensure transparency and open communication, all Board of Education Public Hearings are available via RCSD’s Facebook, YouTube, and the District’s website at www.rcsdk12.org/meetings, unless otherwise noted. All materials related to meetings will also be accessible on the day of the meeting via the District’s Boarddocs page.

Anyone wishing to sign up to speak in person or virtually, if applicable, must email publichearing@rcsdk12.org by noon on the day of the hearing and state that they would like to speak. In accordance with policy 2390 and exhibit 2390-E1, the following information must be included: Name, Address, Contact Information and Affiliation. Non-residents may speak at public hearings when permission is granted by the Chair. All speakers MUST address the hearing topic. Prior to the meeting, an email will be sent to those persons who will participate virtually.

Written comments are still accepted and can be submitted by emailing publichearing@rcsdk12.org by noon of the day of the public hearing. Comments will be forwarded to Board Members, posted to Boarddocs, and accepted into the public record; however, these will not be read into the Public Record.

For more information or assistance, you may call the Board of Education at 585-262-8525 or email publichearing@rcsdk12.org.

The Rochester City School District does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, veteran status, domestic violence victim status or political affiliation, and additionally does not discriminate against students on the basis of weight, gender identity, gender expression, and religious practices or any other basis prohibited by New York State and/or federal non-discrimination laws in employment or its programs and activities. The District provides equal access to community and youth organizations. NYS CR Part #154 requires the District to provide communications to ELL families in the home language that they best understand. In order to request interpretation or translation services, employees may visit www.rcsdk12.org/translationservices. For emergencies or immediate communication needs, please use the Language Line at 1-866-874-3972. School secretaries in each school or program can provide the access code for this service.