RCSD GOVERNANCE REROUTE PLAN

Created by: Commissioner Natalie Sheppard

Introduction

Many laws have been created with good intentions. We must understand that the best of intentions can still have
an adverse effect on institutions that were created to be a foundation of success for the individuals they serve.
There is an urgent need to take a hard look at the impact of Education regulations to create necessary change. This
plan is not an attempt to escape accountability or point blame for the sake of retaliation. I truly seek to educate
and empower us all to come together and use the powers we have within our respective roles in the community to
fight to fill in the gaps of our education system; so that students do not continue to fall through the cracks due to
system inefficiencies. This plan is merely one way to add value to a broader wave that many advocates, activists,
elected officials, parents, students, and community members have created by expressing their passion to fight for
high quality education within the City of Rochester. This plan will require that we all familiarize ourselves with
State laws and local policies/procedures because we cannot change local systems without State level adjustments.

*** the ‘ways to impact’ choices that I believe we should choose as first options in each ‘observation’ area

Observation A: The Board of Education Commissioner’s role is considered a part-time position with a stipend.
This leads to BOE members working full-time positions for other agencies/organizations. BOE Commissioners
seek to provide best efforts of their fiduciary and policy duties within the RCSD. There is an imbalance to the BOE
as a whole because each Commissioner’s ability to invest full-time attention to the work is dependent upon
other employment responsibilities.
Question of change: What could be a Board of Education governance structural change that would have a
significantly positive impact on the effectiveness of the BOE duties while maintaining community control through
an elected BOE?
Ways to impact: 1. Reduce BOE Commissioner positions from 7 to 5
(then)
2. Increase each Commissioner position from part-time to full-time
-or-
1. Keep 7 member BOE while making 2 of 7 Commissioner positions full-time (President
& Vice-Presiden(President & Vice-President) ***
-or-
1. Keep 7 member BOE while making every Commissioner position full-time

Observation B: The majority of District staff work hard and often times go above and beyond their job
descriptions to support the needs of students and families. This understandably justifies their financial
compensation. However, the District has entered into a place where annual revenue is not keeping the same
pace of staff compensation increases. This is problematic because it forces decision makers to choose between
paying adults or student activities and support. The collective bargaining unit agreements are legally binding
and at our current financial crossroad there has to be major adjustments.
Question of change: How do we fully support the needs and wants of students in and out of the
classroom, while appropriately compensating District staff for their work?
Ways to impact: 1. NYS to fully fund RCSD based on the foundational aid formula
-or-
1. Apply salary caps for every position
(then)
2. Incremental Bonus calendar terms & conditions implemented
-or-
1. Eliminate Tenure
-or-
1. RCSD Waiver from ‘Taylor Law’ restrictions ***
(then)
2. Direct contract negotiating authority given to full BOE ***
 RCSD GOVERNANCE REROUTE PLAN
Created by: Commissioner Natalie Sheppard

Observation C: The fiduciary responsibility of the District is assigned to the BOE. However, the oversight to
provide checks and balances of the District finances needs to happen in a more inclusive way. City Council is also
responsible for a more in depth management role over RCSD finances and has typically relied heavily on the end
reporting. This leads to the need of a more proactive approach to assist with District financial oversight.
Question of change: How do we provide stronger checks and balances amongst different levels of
government in efforts to have fiscal stability and repair credibility of financial management?
Ways to impact: 1. Chief Financial Officer to report directly to the BOE and City Council.
-or-
1. Deputy Financial Officer position created who is supervised by CFO and reports
directly to City Coureports directly to City Council ***

Conclusion: Each of these proposed ‘ways to impact’ will require a more in-depth look into legislative actions that
are critical to improving the education system within the City of Rochester. Some of the NYS State laws, Education
Regulations, and statements that need to be further examined for background knowledge and/or adjustment are
as follows:

-Public Employees’ Fair Act 1967 (Taylor Law)

-NYS General Municipal Law
-NYS Tax Levy Big 5
-State Aid Primer
-Statement on the Governance Role of a Trustee or Board Member|Board of Regents

Please provide feedback to:

Natalie Sheppard
Commissioner of Schools
Rochester City School District
Natalie.Sheppard@RCSDK12.org
585-262-8525