The Rochester Community Schools board is set to vote on a significant amendment to its bylaws on Monday, which would restrict individual trustees from independently requesting documents or information directly from the district administration. According to the proposed change, any trustee seeking information that isn’t already publicly available will now need to obtain a consensus from a majority of the board before such a request can be made.
This measure is aimed at curtailing what board members have described as “voluminous” requests that have placed a considerable burden on the administration. Notably, Trustee Jessica Gupta, who initiated the proposal, emphasized that the current structure allowing individual requests has been misused, consuming valuable staff time and resources. “Requiring agreement from the majority of the board would facilitate informed collective decision-making and foster public debate,” she stated.
Supporters of the change acknowledge the necessity of the new rules despite initial hesitations. Trustee Jayson Blake admitted that while he previously opposed similar measures, the volume and detail of requests have created problems for the administration, necessitating a change in policy.
Trustee Carol Beth Litkouhi, who has been a prominent figure in raising concerns about the administration’s operation, has made headlines by submitting a high number of information requests. While Litkouhi defended her actions, asserting that her inquiries were essential for thorough evaluations, she has faced criticism for overwhelming the staff with documentation requests. In the recent evaluation process for the superintendent, Litkouhi reported making a total of 34 requests, ranging from human resources practices to extensive historical student data.
This issue of individual requests has drawn attention to the power dynamics within the board. Litkouhi, who has previously engaged in legal battles over access to documents, cautioned that the new bylaws could inhibit essential oversight from minority factions and emphasized that all trustees still maintain the right to file records requests just like any member of the public.
Legal advisor Brad Banasik clarified the limitations of individual board members, noting they do not possess the authority to directly instruct the superintendent beyond the public records process, further substantiating the need for such a governance change. He indicated that fostering cooperative relationships between board members and administration can mitigate potential conflicts over information requests.
The present discussion follows recent censure actions against Litkouhi concerning other matters, highlighting ongoing tensions within the board. Litkouhi expressed concerns over declining academic rigor in the district and criticized the board’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Critics of the proposed bylaws, including Trustee Shelley Lauzon, argue that requiring majority consensus could unnecessarily delay access to existing documents and create a cumbersome bureaucratic process. Lauzon suggested that such restrictions seem retaliatory toward Litkouhi, characterizing the measure as a move to silence dissenting voices within the board.
In response, Board President Michelle Bueltel articulated that these amendments aim to enhance governance efficiency by ensuring aligned communication to support collective goals for students, rather than allowing one trustee’s frequent requests to divert administrative attention.
As the board prepares to convene at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Rochester Early Childhood Education Center, the outcome of this vote may significantly influence how information is accessed and the overall dynamics of oversight within the district’s governance.