Samantha Battis

"𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼, my name is Samantha and I'm honored to be running for the Rochester School Board.

I am a mom raising my son here in Rochester and, like so many of you, I care deeply about the future of our schools and our community. Rochester is home for me. My parents and grandparents were raised here, and my family has called this city home for generations. I want to continue that tradition by giving back and working to make our schools stronger for the next generation.

I believe every child is a gift not only to their families but our community and our future. We don't know which child today will be tomorrow's doctor, teacher, business owner, or leader. That's why it's our responsibility to make sure every student has the tools they need to succeed. Every child, every voice, every future.

When we invest in education, we invest in Rochester's future. Strong schools mean stronger neighborhoods, better opportunities, and a safer, healthier city for all of us.

As a school board member, my priorities will be simple: ensuring every staff and student member feels included, supported, and valued in our schools; promoting highquality education that gives our kids the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life; working closely with families, teachers, and taxpayers to ensure our schools meet the needs of our community in a fair and responsible way.

Education is more than academics. It's about helping students grow into capable, compassionate adults who will contribute to a stronger Rochester. Every child deserves the chance to discover their strengths and become the best version of themselves.

On November 4th, I ask for your vote for the Rochester School Board. Together, we can build schools that reflect the values of our community and prepare every child for a brighter future. Every child, every voice, every future."

Notes:

The Public Information and Community Engagement Office for the City of Rochester is pleased to announce that the Meet the Candidates video series is now available for viewing ahead of the upcoming Municipal Election.

The nonpartisan series introduces voters to candidates for Mayor, City Council, School Board, and Police Commission. Each candidate was given up to three minutes to speak directly to voters, share their priorities, and present their personal message.

To ensure fairness and transparency, all videos were recorded live in a single take, without edits, hosts, or predetermined questions.

The views and opinions expressed in the following video are those of the candidate and do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Rochester, its elected officials or staff. The content is presented as part of a public information effort to provide equal opportunity for all candidates to address the community.

Transcript was taken directly from the GovTV website closed captioning. AI added bold/italic fonts for emphasis and separated paragraphs where appropriate.

"I’m excited (and a little nervous) to share that I am officially running for a seat on the Rochester School Board.

As a mom raising an amazing son with a disability, I’ve seen both the struggles and the sunshine within our school system. I know how deeply it matters for every child to feel safe, valued, and supported—and for every family to feel like their voice is heard.

I’m running because I believe:
💛 Every child deserves dignity and opportunity.
💛 Families should be partners in education, not left on the sidelines.
💛 Our schools should reflect compassion, inclusion, and hope.

This isn’t just about policy—it’s about people. It’s about building a community where our children thrive, not just survive.

I would be honored to have your support on this journey. Please follow along, share with friends, and most of all—join me in creating schools where every child shines."

Intro from Candidate via Facebook post they made. Bold and italic fonts added via AI for emphasis

"🎓 Let’s talk about Mission and Vision Statements — and why they matter.

I recently looked at the Rochester School Department’s official mission and vision statements. These statements are supposed to guide every decision, classroom, and goal within our schools.

Here is a paraphrase of the current core statements.

🏫 Mission:
“To provide a personalized learning experience for all students to become responsible, contributing citizens with essential skills.”

🌟 Vision:
“To personalize learning so every student can be engaged and passionate about their journey to success.”

These are positive goals — but they can be even stronger. Right now, they focus on instruction and skills, but don’t mention equity, inclusion, or community collaboration.

💛 Here’s how we could make them more inclusive and actionable:

Mission (Revised):
“Together with families and the community, we provide an equitable and personalized learning experience and ensure that every child has the support, opportunity, and respect that empowers every student to think critically, communicate clearly, and contribute meaningfully to a better world.”

Vision (Revised):
“A thriving learning community where every student is supported, engaged, and inspired to reach their full potential—academically, socially, and emotionally.”

When we include families, community, and equity in our foundation, we set a clearer direction for what success truly means.

I also believe the School Board should have its own Mission and Vision Statement — one that defines how we lead, make decisions, and support the district’s goals.

Here’s an example of what that might look like:

📘 School Board Mission:
“The Rochester School Board leads with transparency, collaboration, and equity, ensuring every student, family, and staff member is supported in achieving success.”

📘 School Board Vision:
“A district governed by clear values, shared responsibility, and strong community partnerships, creating an inclusive environment where every child thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.”

A strong mission and vision give everyone — teachers, parents, leaders, and students — something to work toward together."

Link to discussion: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FpD1Cp6rg/ 

"💛 When Policy Becomes Punishment

🗓️ The Suspension Policy Problem
Let’s talk about Policy JICD — it covers suspensions and expulsions in Rochester schools.
On paper, it’s meant to keep schools safe. But in practice, the possibility of a loophole that allows students with disabilities to be punished instead of supported is real.

Rochester’s suspension rate for children with disabilities is 11% — almost triple the New Hampshire average.
That’s not just numbers — that’s kids being sent home for behaviors tied to autism, trauma, or unmet needs.

Policies like JICD often use vague language such as “behavior detrimental to the welfare of the school.”
When rules are that broad, they depend entirely on interpretation — and that’s where bias and ableism can creep in."

Link to discussion: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16bxWieCkW/ 

"🗓️ A Policy That Protects, Not Punishes
Imagine if every Rochester student with a disability had a simple guarantee:

Before they could be suspended, the school had to document that:
1️⃣ At least one support or de-escalation strategy was tried,
2️⃣ The student’s plan or supports were reviewed, and
3️⃣ Parents were contacted to collaborate, not just discipline.

These are just some ideas that scratch the surface aiming at change with possible better outcomes for each and every student. It’s what I’m calling Support Before Suspension rule — and it’s a small change that could make a big impact. What are your ideas with regards to policy change?

Our policies should guide schools toward understanding, not exclusion.
When we fix broken policies, we fix broken systems. 💛"

Link to discussion: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BM5cUoVit/ 

• Founder of Autism Unraveled

• Candidate's LinkedIn Profile

• Samantha Battis for Rochester School Board Ward 6A Facebook Page