A number of parents and community members spoke on ZOOM and in person Thursday night at the Rochester City School District’s only public budget hearing…and there was no doubt what they wanted. More transparency in developing the budget, and understanding how it funds the district’s stated priorities.
It has been a tumultuous process getting to a budget this year. Three previous drafts were rejected and the district’s Chief Financial Officer withdrew from the process before the fourth draft was agreed on by the school board.
Parent and Citizens Action Committee member Mary Callahan said she’d been to three community meetings trying to understand the budget and how it uses funding to further its goal of fighting racism. Parent Ethan Wynn said he’s concerned that large amounts of federal COVID funding is being used to support this budget. He asked what would happen next year when that funding isn’t available, and if the district is setting itself up for future layoffs. Wynn said he wants to know that when his daughter raises her hand in class, there’s an adult ready to answer her question.
And Laura Smith says she couldn’t find data she considers critical in the budget, including how Rochester teacher-student ratios match national standards.
The School Board meets April 26th after Spring Break to discuss what it heard. The final budget draft is due May 5, and the board votes on it May 10. It then goes to City Council for final action.