SCHOOL BOARD UPDATES AND COMMUNICATIONS

Speaking to the Media or the Public Ahead of Meetings

Meeting agendas and related documentation is available to the media and the public no less than three days before the meeting at www.rochesterschools.org/boarddocs. Members of the media are welcome to attend the Board meetings which are open to the public, and interview the Superintendent or the Board Chair after each meeting. In order to allow all members of the Board to receive information and discuss items as a collective governance body before starting to make policy or casting a vote, in most cases the Superintendent and members of the School Board will not be speaking to members of the media or the public about a topic that will be discussed at the Board meeting ahead of the meeting. Exceptions to this approach may be made when it is important to provide the public with advance notice of a time–sensitive board discussion or action. 

According to Procedure 209A - Code of Ethics, unanimously approved by the Board on February 21, 2023, the School Board Chair or their designee will respond to media requests on behalf of the Board. 
Per this Code of Ethics, and to make the Chair more accessible to members of the media, the Board Chair will be available from 10-10:30 a.m. the Wednesday after a regular session meeting for interviews. The schedule can be located in BoardDocs in the library. These interviews can be coordinated by emailing RPS Director of Communications Mamisoa Knutson at maknutson@rochesterschools.org.

School Board Meeting Agendas

The Rochester Public School Board agendas are posted on the Monday of a School Board meeting week. All agendas are considered draft and can be modified at anytime prior to the approval of agenda vote. 

Comments from the Public

The Rochester Public School Board is currently meeting in person. At each regular board meeting there is an allotted time for public comments. There are policies and procedures that are helpful in understanding attendance and participation. 

Please note Policies, Procedures and hyperlinks to the full documents for your information and awareness:

• Policy 206 - Public Participation in School Board Meetings/Complaints About Persons at School Board Meetings and Data Privacy Considerations
• Procedure 206A - Time, Place, and Manner Restrictions and Procedures for Public School Board Meetings and Comments to the Board
• Policy 808 - COVID-19 Face Covering Guidance