Board members for the Rochester City School District are answering to a report calling the district "dysfunctional."

The distinguished educator report, released last month, pointed out more than 100 concerns. It also made 84 recommendations for resolving the issues.

Tuesday's meeting tackled teaching and learning, special education and EEL.

District officials touched on everything from making sure students are using their textbooks, and implementing more leadership in the field of special education, to making their technology more accessible to foreign-language speaking parents.

Parent and Education Advocate Howard Eagle said he was disappointed board members provide more specific answers.

“I heard a lot of fluff. It’s very abstract," Eagle said. "We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that it’s just the beginning of the process, but certainly as they continue this, we want to hear something concrete in terms of implementation, actual steps they plan to take to improve this long-standing crisis.”

But the Board wants to assure the community that this is only the start to a methodical and deliberate journey.

“Tonight was a night for the why's, but tomorrow or the day after, will be a time for the board and the superintendent to answer the questions of how are you going to do it, and when are you going to do it?” Board President Van White said.

The board plans to discuss several more topics including accountability, operations and parent and community engagement at the next meeting on December 18. 

The district has until February 8 to submit an action plan to the state.