School Board Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Rochester Public Schools ISD535 school board held a regular meeting on September 1, 2026, focusing on various educational and administrative updates. Key procurement-related discussions included the transition of transportation routing in-house to save costs, with a consultant engaged to identify efficiencies potentially saving millions of dollars. Facilities management reported implementing Akita Box software for asset mapping and maintenance scheduling to improve long-term facility management. The finance department completed a major system transition from Skyward to Cumulative, ensuring payroll continuity. Additionally, the board discussed the sustainability and funding challenges of language programs such as Dakota and American Sign Language, emphasizing the need for strategic investment to grow these offerings beyond grant funding. No specific contract awards or RFPs were detailed, but several initiatives involving vendor partnerships and technology implementations were highlighted. The meeting also included presentations on student achievements and the introduction of a new director of equity and organizational development, with a focus on embedding equity in strategic planning and project management.