Rochester Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Student Research & Career Pathways
Office of Learning Environments Launch & Strategy
School Board Committee Assignments
Superintendent Leadership Evaluation
Votes (3)
Approval of the 2026-2027 Annual Board Calendar Draft (ABCD)
Moved by Director Cook [~6:50 PM] · Seconded by Director Whitehorn [~6:50 PM]
The board reviewed and approved the annual board calendar draft, which had minor updates since its last presentation, including recognitions and policy compliance items. It was acknowledged as a flexible planning document.
Approval of School Board Meeting Dates for 2027
Moved by Director Cook [~6:52 PM] · Seconded by Director Whitehorn [~6:52 PM]
The board voted to approve the updated dates, times, and locations for its 2027 school board meetings, which correspond to the recently approved Annual Board Calendar Draft.
Closed Session for Superintendent Leadership Evaluation 2025-2026
Moved by Director Cook [~6:55 PM] · Seconded by Director Whitehorn [~6:55 PM]
The board entered a closed session as permitted by Minnesota statute to confidentially discuss the annual performance evaluation of Superintendent Kent Pel. The board plans to summarize its conclusions at a later meeting.
Notable Quotes (1)
The next item on the agenda is a close session pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13 DO5 subdivision 3B, which allows the board to go into close session to evaluate the performance of an individual who is subject to its authority. While in closed session, the board will engage in a confidential discussion of the scheduled annual performance evaluation of Superintendent Kent Pel.
Ordinances & Resolutions (12)
The district's long-term strategic plan, with key initiatives falling within the Office of Learning Environments and including AI strategy.
An international program for US education administrators to share best practices and learn from high-performing systems; Brandon McCraic was selected for it.
Department of Education reporting system that has a two-year lag for attendance measurements.
A framework for teaching that specifically addresses learning environments, which the Office of Learning Environments plans to align its language and approaches with.
A survey used to measure student belonging as an indicator of progress for learning environments.
A system being used to build out learning environments dashboards.
Large group meetings held at secondary sites for students and families not meeting attendance expectations.
One-on-one meetings with students, families, school, and county attorney's office to create attendance improvement plans.
Individual school plans where some sites have identified family engagement as a focus area.
A planning document outlining the board's calendar for the school year, which was approved with minor updates.
The legal statute allowing the board to go into closed session for performance evaluation of an individual.
An item scheduled for future discussion and approval as a prep for action.