Rochester Schools Announces Upgrades, Superintendent Search Update

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Rochester Community Schools joined local leaders Thursday to discuss investments that will help enhance learning experiences for all students across the district.

Some of the recent updates include investing in social-emotional support, offering free pre-kindergarten programs, establishing a dual enrollment scholarship fund, enhancing curriculum and utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

"Rochester Community Schools is an amazing district with incredible students, dedicated and talented staff members, supportive families and collaborative community partners. We work tirelessly to ensure students are consistently engaged in activities that stimulate their learning and enhance their overall experience, which includes a feeling of belonging," Interim Superintendent John Silveri said.

Upgrades and Investments

The district spent $1.7 million to add seven additional school counselors and eight academic interventionists to help students overcome challenges and achieve their personal best.

The qualified professionals work alongside teachers, administrators, staff and families to provide multi-tiered systems of support that include individualized coaching, collaboration and intervention for students in transitional kindergarten through grade 12.

"There are many factors that can influence a child’s ability to learn," Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Cory Heitsch said. "Expanded educational teams are working with classroom teachers and families to increase resources and design individualized supports to meet the needs of each student."

The district also announced free pre-kindergarten services for four-year-old children through the Michigan Department of Education’s Great Start Readiness Program.

For the remainder of this school year and the upcoming school year, the district will increase free pre-K slots, extend instructional hours to be consistent with full-day school calendar schedules, ensure a highly qualified and credentialed teaching staff and potentially save eligible families up to $10,000 in tuition.

"Rochester Community Schools has a long history of providing high-quality pre-K programming for three- and four-year-old children," Heitsch said. "The GSRP expansion will help increase access, affordability and instructional time, while supporting student growth and readiness."

The district also created a dual enrollment scholarship fund to help pay tuition costs at Oakland University. The program was created through a partnership with the Rochester Community Schools Foundation.

Currently, there are more than 50 students in the district that are enrolled in the dual enrollment. The Michigan Department of Education administers the dual enrollment program across the state and provides a set amount of funding per student each semester.

The district also launched "Bridges in Mathematics," which is a program designed to help student elementary students from kindergarten through fifth grade develop mathematical mindsets.

Anatomy and biology students also got a learning boost as the district brought in new 3D anatomy tables, which are most often used at the university level. Through detailed 3D anatomy structures, the tool gives students the ability to look at the complexities of the human body and perform dissections. The effort was put together in collaboration with the Rochester Community Schools Foundation.

State of the District

Rochester Community Schools leaders said the district's budget includes a balanced and equitable spending plan that is sustainable, promotes growth, and ensures high-quality student programming.

In addition, the district also won the prestigious Association of School Business Officials International Meritorious Budget Award for the seventh straight year. The award recognizes excellence in school budget presentation and is conferred only to school districts whose budgets have undergone a rigorous review by finance professionals and have met or exceeded the program’s stringent criteria.

Rochester Community Schools was one of only three districts in Michigan and one of 139 districts across the United States and Canada to be honored as a 2022-23 MBA recipient. The full listing for 2023-24 has not yet been released.

School officials are also looking to secure grant opportunities that will support student and staff safety, elementary literacy, math education, mental health and teacher retention.

Superintendent Search

Rochester School officials said the search for a new superintendent is underway.

"The superintendent plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of the community. We aim to find an individual who not only possesses the necessary skills and qualifications but also embodies the values that make our district exceptional," Board of Education President Michelle Bueltel said.

Silveri will serve as the interim superintendent through June 2024. The district hopes to have a new superintendent by the start of the 2024-25 school year.

"I have called Rochester home for the past 15 years, so it is even more meaningful to lead our school district, serving as a short-term bridge between the former and future superintendent," Silveri said.

Strategic Planning

School officials said they will create a strategic plan that will create positive outcomes that ensure equitable practices, innovative work and engaged communities.

"We are excited to be fully engaged in the strategic planning process," Board of Education Vice President Barb Anness said. "Through a shared vision and measurable goals and objectives, we will continue to build upon our world-class educational system at Rochester Community Schools."

Lastly, school officials thanked voters for approving a non-homestead operating millage, which means the district can maintain its current full per-pupil revenue of $9,608.

If the proposal failed, the district's per-pupil funding would have fallen to $8,060, which equates to a loss of roughly $24.5 million per year or 10.7 percent of current budgeted general fund revenues.

"I believe there is nothing more important than the education of our children. It’s truly an honor to live and work in a community that places such a high priority on helping our students succeed now and into the future," Silveri said. "Receiving our full per-pupil funding set by the state will help ensure resources are available so we can continue to provide the highest quality public education possible."