The Truth and Taxation public meeting was a focal point, with the Director of Finance presenting the final certification of the property tax levy. The presentation outlined an increase in the general fund from $48 million to $68 million due to a recently approved operating referendum, adding approximately $20 million to the fiscal year 2026 levy. The board opened the floor for public comments, which included impassioned pleas from residents concerned about rising taxes and the accessibility of school facilities. One resident, Shellene Nelson, highlighted issues with building accessibility and the lack of socialization opportunities for students with disabilities.

Another resident expressed dissatisfaction with the financial management of the district, referencing a significant 10.5% increase in city property taxes and the extension of sales taxes for 24 years. They emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and proposed the establishment of an “office of accountability” to oversee district spending, citing a past incident involving a superintendent who faced legal consequences for financial mismanagement.

In response to the community’s financial concerns, the board announced the certification date for the 2025 property tax levy and proceeded to discuss other agenda items, including the introduction of the RPS GOAT award. This new accolade was introduced to honor individuals for exceptional contributions to Rochester Public Schools. Superintendent Kent Pekel expressed enthusiasm for the award, likening its prestige to major award shows. The inaugural recipients were Dr. Jessica Garcia and Ms. Lorie Sam, recognized for their advocacy and transformational work within the district.

The meeting also addressed several resolutions related to educational policies and funding. A proposal to revise the state’s statute on Native American mascots, which would grant decision-making authority to the nearest tribe, narrowly failed. Meanwhile, a resolution to rescind the exclusive discipline law for K through 3 students passed with overwhelming support, reflecting ongoing concerns about disciplinary measures in early education.

Discussions extended to a resolution on artificial intelligence standards, advocating for a review and redesign of state content standards to integrate AI education. The resolution emphasized the importance of equipping students with relevant skills in a society increasingly influenced by AI, receiving praise for its thorough research and foresight.

Superintendent Pekel provided an update on the indoor air quality project at Mayo High School, initially estimated at $97 million but revised to $88.5 million after community feedback. The revised plan prioritizes essential upgrades, deferring non-critical improvements to focus on infrastructure needs such as electrical and plumbing systems. Pekel humorously suggested selling the school’s iconic green seats to fund theater programs, tapping into community nostalgia.

The board also highlighted the superintendent’s evaluation outcomes, noting mixed results in meeting strategic goals. While the deeper learning goal was achieved, the multi-tiered systems of support goal fell short, with a decrease in reading proficiency among grades 2-5. A rise in disciplinary infractions was noted, prompting discussions on refining goals to better address these issues.

In a focus on future financial planning, the board discussed a new balanced budget model aimed at aligning resources with student needs. Superintendent Pekel emphasized the importance of feedback in refining the model, which proposes separating staffing allocations into distinct categories to allow schools more flexibility in addressing their unique challenges.