(October 9, 2025) On his 100th day in office, Dr. Eric Jay Rosser delivered The Future of the RCSD: Vision, Journey, Destination at East High School. He shared his findings from his first months in Rochester, outlined a clear vision for student success, and highlighted progress already underway across the District.
Dr. Rosser spent the first five weeks of his tenure connecting with students, families, staff, and the community to understand District strengths, challenges, and opportunities, which focused on five critical areas:
- Strategic Alignment: From the beginning of his tenure, Dr. Rosser has worked to strengthen the partnership between the superintendent and the Board of Education. One-on-one conversations, a facilitated retreat, and the development of a shared governance calendar are creating clarity and shared purpose. These efforts are helping ensure that District priorities reflect the needs of students, families, and staff.
- Teaching and Learning: Dr. Rosser is committed to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality instruction and meaningful learning opportunities. Encouraging progress is already visible: elementary performance in ELA and math improved this year, with fewer students scoring at the lowest levels and more moving toward proficiency, marking a step forward compared to recent years.
- Organizational Culture and Health: A safe and positive culture is essential to student success, and Dr. Rosser has prioritized listening to students, families, and staff about climate and well-being. Surveys, forums, and school visits are shaping the District’s understanding of what is working and what needs improvement.
- Organizational Effectiveness and Alignment: The Rochester City School District is working to ensure that its operations are efficient, transparent, and aligned with student outcomes. Dr. Rosser and his leadership team are conducting organizational reviews and leadership assessments to strengthen accountability and build capacity.
- Engage School, Home, and Community Stakeholders and Build Trust, Collaboration, and Elevate a Student-Centered Culture: Dr. Rosser has made visibility and relationship-building a central part of his first 100 days. He has established standing meetings with the State Monitor, the Fiscal Consultant, the Mayor, the County Executive, union leaders, and other key partners to strengthen collaboration and ensure alignment on priorities.
“We have a strategic blueprint to raise achievement, close opportunity gaps, and strengthen systems that support our student-centered work,” said Dr. Rosser. “The first 100 days are just the beginning. We are aligning our work so that every decision puts students first.”
Key Initiatives
- Strive for Five: Show Up Strong, Five Days Long: A citywide attendance campaign encouraging students to attend school consistently. In the early stages of the campaign, the District is already seeing a rise in its average daily attendance.
- Community Conversations and Fireside Chats: Dialogue sessions with students, families, staff, and the community that promote feedback, problem-solving, and shared accountability.
- Literacy Task Force: In response to the critical need for students to achieve literacy proficiency, the District is forming a task force that will grow with community-wide involvement.
- College, Career, and Military Readiness: The District is developing a framework to give every student a clear, supported pathway after graduation, whether through higher education, technical training, a career in the workforce, or military service.
“We are building classrooms where literacy is power, where attendance is culture, and where every child sees a future filled with possibility,” said Dr. Rosser. “Our students deserve nothing less than our very best, and together, we will give it to them.”
Dr. Rosser’s speech is available on the District’s website at www.rcsdk12.org.
