School Board Meeting - Study Session - June 9, 2026

The Rochester Public Schools ISD535 held a study session on June 9, 2026, to discuss a comprehensive facilities and program restructuring proposal driven by declining enrollment projections and the need for financial sustainability. Key procurement-related topics included plans to sell the Fidel facility, relocate early learning classrooms, combine Churchill and Hoover Elementary schools, expand middle school alternative learning center (ALC) facilities, move girls gymnastics to a community provider, and relocate career and technical education (CEK) programs from Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) to the district's comprehensive high schools. The proposal involves an estimated $44 million in capital improvements, funded through a combination of long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) funds, capital bonds, lease levy authority, and committed fund balances. The board discussed potential tax impacts, funding sources, and the importance of timely decisions due to rising construction costs. Facility upgrades include renovations to the Education Service Center for Phoenix Academy and infrastructure improvements at multiple schools. The meeting also addressed community engagement concerns, program continuity, and the educational benefits of consolidating schools and programs. No final votes were taken; the board plans to revisit the proposal with refined financial analyses in July and August.