Dear RPS staff, parents, and caregivers,
The RPS School Board voted unanimously to put forward an investment plan to Ignite Student Learning that would generate $19.4 million annually through an operating levy increase. Voters will decide on November 5.
Despite recent budget cuts and other cost-control efforts, the district faces critical financial challenges that could force school closures, deep cuts in faculty and staff, and reduced student services, educational programs, and class options. Feedback from residents helped us shape this investment plan to stabilize our finances and build on our academic progress.
Since the board’s decision, we have received several questions from the community about the plan. Below are the most common questions we have received so far:
How will the referendum proposal impact learning for all students?
The additional funding will be used to stabilize our budget, avoid school closures, support classroom needs, and support services that reach every student. This includes:
Maintaining teacher and staff positions.
Protecting current class sizes.
Supporting key services for students, including school counselors.
Supporting career and technical education classes and programs, including construction trades, nursing, and information technology.
Providing reading specialists and other academic support for struggling students.
Support advanced learning programs for academically accelerated students.
What will happen if the referendum doesn’t pass?
Without additional funding, the district will be forced to make about $20 million in cuts ahead of the 2025-2026 school year that would vastly change education across all our schools. This includes:
Closing multiple schools.
Eliminating teacher and staff positions.
Increasing class sizes.
Reducing academic support and mental health services.
Scaling back career and technical education.
Reducing courses and programs at all grade levels.
Could the positions and programs that are included in the referendum proposal be eliminated if the referendum does not pass?
Yes. Some of the programs and positions in the referendum proposal would need to be eliminated or greatly diminished if the referendum does not pass. But even if we cut them all, the district would not be able to avoid school closures and other cuts to teachers and staff.
Was the community involved in developing this plan?
Yes. Last November, Rochester area voters narrowly rejected an opportunity to use a capital projects levy to help address our financial problems. Since then, the district has engaged residents to learn more about their priorities through surveys, group meetings, school events and other outreach.
Their feedback was clear: Residents want us to share more about our financial issues, propose a different plan to address these challenges to maintain our progress, and explain the impact of more budget cuts. We have been determined to follow that guidance as we shaped our plan to “Ignite Student Learning.” Ultimately, residents will have the final say.
Why does RPS have a budget deficit?
The State of Minnesota provides the majority of funding for school districts, but funding has not reflected the rising cost of education over the past 20 years. The chart below shows the gap between the funding that school districts in Minnesota have received from the state’s General Fund and the funding those school districts would have received if state funding had kept pace with inflation.
As a result of the shortfall in state funding and other factors, school districts across Minnesota have been forced to turn to their local communities to secure funding for programs that many community members consider indispensable. While Rochester Public Schools is the seventh largest in Minnesota, the district ranks last in local funding compared to districts with over 10,000 students across the state.
Why does the current referendum seek a higher annual amount of funding than the one put forward in November 2023?
The financial challenges haven’t changed, but the difference between the two referendums is based on the funding mechanism that we chose. Last year, the district proposed a $10.1 million capital projects levy that can be used for a limited range of spending, including equipment and technology costs. This would have created substantial savings in our operations budget that would have allowed us to address many of our budget challenges.
The current referendum proposes an operating levy increase of $19.4 million annually. If approved, this funding will directly address the deficits in our operations budget, which includes spending for all curriculum programs, salaries, transportation, student services and supplies, among other things.
How much would the referendum cost and what is the tax impact?
The proposed operating levy would raise the school district’s operating levy by $1,133 per pupil, generating $19.4 million annually for 10 years. If the referendum is approved, a home valued at $350,000 would see an estimated property tax increase of $29 per month starting in 2025.
How can I learn more?
This is an important community-wide decision, so we want to answer all residents’ questions. We are committed to sharing additional information and resources with you, including a dedicated section on the district’s website for the referendum. Stay tuned for more information. You can also reach out with any questions or share your ideas at rpsvote@rochesterschools.org or 507-328-4777.
Thank you for your support of our students and schools.