[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6214414,"mediaKeyId","3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339","parentId",3669071,"title","Cradle to Career updates leadership table progress; prenatal‑to‑3 and FAFSA work noted","audioSeconds",1002,"startMs",3572000,"endMs",4574000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339&start=3572&end=4574","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339/thumbnail_3572000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6214414/Minnesota/Cradle-to-Career-updates-leadership-table-progress-prenatalto3-and-FAFSA-work-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214414-862ca122b408c13e83d2fb00a9d20684/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878911&Signature=oU498QSPVqSam8f43Ul78Y2GWIwLF~aW7Ou9YeI1uBE5JqNziWy7SFNScuDHG5GoUPZ8radj9inkUqEe7wBz56t8O6e0GDa~-Wm9OfF3SgKrBJ7bZbeNQGYOocv4Ye3rLucCSbfnnUHcxnpUEy-Aexu2Rhisw90NtxmV4TQ-hxyYd6YO~-0oUaLjHcDlQhlgJZvpUFcEB9dhsdbCresBZRuBTyIpL9jrxJYuE4nbKrLQ0bz22BuQX3hgIjXrhYpR50bTQ0sK9AcnAtN5yptjj4uSl3DCQHKLeRzd1QHKYb4Al3kbyXyQ6L93kl-VmHMURjuYhizJGOpF11wKanlDgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rochester Public Schools","date","2025-06-04T13:08:52Z","article","Julie Ruzak, executive director of the Cradle to Career Partnership, updated the Rochester Public School District board on June 3 about the community partnership’s recent activity, progress on collective‑impact benchmarks and planned next steps.

\"Cradle to Career is a community wide initiative that works to improve educational outcomes for every child in Rochester by transforming the way that partners work together,\" Ruzak told the board. She said the partnership does not provide direct services but convenes agencies and community partners to align efforts on systemwide issues.

Ruzak described the partnership’s organizing structure — collaborative action networks that focus on developmental stages — and highlighted three active networks: prenatal‑to‑age‑3, transition to kindergarten and high‑school graduation. She said the prenatal network is focused on increasing access to adequate prenatal care and childcare, and noted county public‑health partners helped identify gaps: since 2011 some pregnant people in Olmsted County have accessed adequate prenatal care at lower rates than the state average, with further disparities by race, age and education.

At the high‑school level, Cradle to Career is focusing on postsecondary planning and FAFSA completion and supporting district efforts to build out Xello and expand work‑experience opportunities. Ruzak said the partnership’s parent and family council helps ground network work in community priorities by collecting ‘‘hopes and dreams’’ data from families, and she credited Strive Together, the national network, with technical assistance.

Progress metrics: Ruzak said the partnership has moved its strategic plan benchmarks substantially since approval: the organization reported moving from 5 of 11 to 12 of 13 benchmarks in one gateway and from 0 of 6 to 5 of 6 in another, work she described as progress toward systems transformation.

Challenges and capacity: Ruzak said the backbone team is seven full‑time staff with additional volunteer partners, and that staffing and variable attendance at network meetings are constraints. She said the partnership gained a small amount of state base funding through legislative advocacy and that additional sustainability work is needed.

Board members asked about ties to district strategic priorities and the district’s role at the table. Ruzak said the partnership aligns with district steps‑to‑success and that many parents at Cradle to Career events are Rochester Public School families. Board members suggested continued closer coordination and noted interest in ensuring Cradle to Career supports district priorities and co‑design work at school sites.

Ending: Ruzak invited board members to the annual education summit at the Mayo Civic Center and asked the board to consider continued partnership and possible board representation on the leadership table.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting - June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Julie Ruzak, executive director of the Cradle to Career Partnership, told the board the collaborative initiative has grown progress on governance and benchmarks, is piloting prenatal and childcare access work and expanding high‑school graduation supports including FAFSA assistance and postsecondary planning.","taxTitle","Rochester Public School District, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",13554,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6214419,"Rochester schools keep current cell‑phone procedure after year‑long rollout and spring survey",545,1494000,2039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339&start=1494&end=2039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339/thumbnail_1494000.jpg","/articles/6214419/Minnesota/Rochester-schools-keep-current-cellphone-procedure-after-yearlong-rollout-and-spring-survey","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214419-a62f9d2ad9b50a5422a333d0142c2875/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878911&Signature=OGfmGIWJAMWdkhTKrbBdX7LCyWtfQTazNCxVtl2Dnjm2A95t2KEF~XWNFsaZCsC1epxvGzL6Bc4ltjDtoGYVa1vBqyqU8W2beUz66Adlk3ZsWSuq~avuj1eVyf9Bx8FsdbF69YsxtFP1N2s7o8bSX5pwRQJqh2iBOmFAdSVWMDc0boVbAhyvXinvJBzngerojG8eX~HFDwtDSaOWnpctwnJVjhamBe5qEk4zAcRsD~V00HOwql3cm210lB1HSs4u2IRLAcNND-chMgJFeLPANCyWfRS9NyO2BzazLCrd2FKGQGO3l7rPMAkOO7Wxebv64fVeGnC6QVczNMNkEAZLBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rochester Public School District administrators and school staff reported to the board on June 3 that after a year of piloting a standardized cell‑phone procedure they will not make systemwide changes but will prioritize clearer, more consistent enforcement and communication with families.

Angie McAndrews, director of student engagement and school climate, briefed the board on the rollout and results of a spring survey of students, staff and caregivers. She said staff \"overwhelmingly found the policy very helpful, saying that it made their job easier and that it was ... simple to enforce because it was there was very clear language and consistent language to be able to share with families and with students.\" Students reported mixed reactions, she said: 48% \"somewhat or strongly agreed that it was easier to focus,\" while 33% disagreed.

Principals reviewed building‑level survey results and, McAndrews said, \"decided not to make any changes to the procedure as it was.\" The district will provide each school its local results and asked principals to strengthen consistent enforcement at the building level. Schools will also continue regular reminders of expectations to students and families.

Why it matters: the procedure covers a wide range of grades. Elementary students keep phones in backpacks, lockers or cubbies; middle‑school students are asked to leave phones in lockers; high‑school students may keep phones but must keep them put away during instructional periods. Staff and board members raised concerns about perceived inconsistencies between buildings, middle‑school lunch versus high‑school lunch privileges, and the Chromebook becoming an alternate source of distraction.

Classroom perspectives: Terry Lanander, principal at Dakota, said the policy has increased student interactions and recess participation at the middle‑school level: \"It's so great to see 80% of the students going out for recess, which in the past has not happened because they'd sit in the cafeteria on their phones or on their Chromebooks.\" Kristen Welch, an English teacher at JM, described the policy as giving teachers authority to set boundaries and suggested a parent‑education element because parents texting students during class undermines instruction.

Tools and follow up: staff described classroom software (GoGuardian) used to monitor Chromebook activity and the district’s pilot approaches (\"away for the day\" at Kellogg). McAndrews said district recommendations include clearer emergency communication protocols for families, private spaces for students who need to use a device for urgent personal matters, and exploring parent‑education options such as a districtwide book study on youth technology and mental health.

Policy placement and next steps: the policy committee recommended keeping policy 5.24’s authorization that lets the superintendent create procedures and placing the current cell‑phone procedure into a school board procedure (e.g., 5.24a) so it has a permanent, searchable home. McAndrews said principals will continue to review the procedure midyear and annually and that principals will lead building‑level remediation to improve consistent enforcement.

Ending: the board heard the mixed survey results, applauded the increased student interactions reported by middle‑school principals, and asked staff to return later with clearer emergency‑communication language and outreach options for caregivers.","After a year of implementing a standardized cell‑phone procedure, principals decided not to change the rules but asked schools to improve consistent enforcement, parent communication about emergencies, and to house the procedure permanently in board materials.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6214424,"Rochester schools project small surplus as board prepares June 17 vote on 2025–26 budget",4320,0,4320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339&start=0&end=4320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3669071-f249180400283b7d16fd1908e11ba339/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6214424/Minnesota/Rochester-schools-project-small-surplus-as-board-prepares-June-17-vote-on-202526-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6214424-c2569a2d032bbe6c6abc818636ce3cdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770878911&Signature=AuK~gTt41sr9hldp7ULhSTQNAV87up9CxTy33f8rWKF4QVg-G0Rgoe1QjLKHcQlfslvHVqeiiyQSjreIhqZCtAInik70P8BdPPciAoNW6lNBM290rM9KwqhnZ42kIkBBoeCgPi9WuOrb4y8Y4W~-LBLIiK~nf0m~~w2HCUOuHBMYRcEXGheSoam44O1eYUGkDv8u7AX-Z-GlYCywvYvxjcKAJAxHRVsuwLAxE1-1kUFrJOMfweCw9XTHWnxLPsnF-Sg0bS2c632FRATBN5oobTrFITfyxmashcJozVMn-54LTT4m8nkc2-pSYajrxqvowMqfmmZIKqLd7nlCZCSHKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rochester Public School District officials told the school board on June 3 that next year’s proposed budget preserves the district’s referendum commitments, maintains class sizes and programming, and projects a small surplus while relying in part on one-time and prior‑year revenues.

John Carlson, presenting the finance team’s numbers, said the proposal shows about $408 million in new revenues next year and roughly $443 million in total expenditures across all funds, with an expected surplus of about $317,000 after applying assigned, prior‑year revenues. \"When we apply that into the mix, we do have a projected surplus of $317,000,\" Carlson said.

Board members and staff emphasized why the referendum passed last year matters to the plan. Superintendent McCall told the board that the voter‑approved referendum was intended to stabilize operations, not to create new long‑term spending, and said setting the referendum at the level voters approved helped avoid deeper cuts. \"Leaving aside the fact that the budget projection we're gonna hear about tonight would be dramatically different had that not passed,\" McCall said, calling the community vote a \"vote of confidence.\"

The budget presentation said the proposal keeps class‑size targets, avoids school closures and preserves existing programming. The plan also uses assigned fund balances and timing of certain revenues: proceeds from bonds approved previously and set to be received in mid‑June will be applied to construction and technology needs and counted as prior‑year revenue for FY26. Carlson said the district will also draw on E‑rate savings for a Skyward upgrade and other assigned reserves for planned equipment replacement.

Why it matters: the budget affects staffing, programs and services across the district. Carlson said the general fund funds about 2,410 full‑time equivalent positions, roughly 93% of district employees, and that about 80% of employee costs are student‑facing roles such as teachers, principals and student‑support staff. The presentation projects average daily membership at 16,444 and noted the district will continue to monitor enrollment and adjust staffing at the start of school where needed.

Board members asked several detailed questions during the presentation. Director Cook asked about special education funding and long‑term pressure from rising special‑education expenses; McCall and finance staff said special‑education costs are driven by students’ assessed needs and that the district has tightened staffing ratios but remains concerned about the gap between state reimbursement and local costs. Carlson said employee salaries and benefits account for about 78–79% of general fund spending and that the forecast assumes some vacancy savings based on historical patterns.

Next steps and calendar: the district will refine a few pending state aid numbers before the June 17 meeting, when the board is scheduled to take action on the 2025–26 budget. Carlson and McCall said they will present a five‑year financial forecast at a future meeting to show longer‑term implications, and staff will post detailed budget tables and supporting materials after board approval.

Context and constraints: the presentation notes that some revenues—COVID era federal funds and a school‑based mental health grant—are ending or reduced, and the budget counts the first‑half costs of the latter through December 2025. The plan also assumes state K–12 funding growth tied to inflation and includes the per‑pupil increase tied to the district’s referendum ($1,133 per pupil on the voter ballot). Finance staff described the proposal as a balanced‑budget model for the general fund that intentionally budgets for vacancy savings and uses assigned fund balances for one‑time needs rather than recurring spending.

Board reaction: members expressed appreciation for the clarity of the materials and asked for clearer visuals to explain how prior‑year assigned revenues are applied to next year’s plan. Several board members asked for additional, future work on special‑education finance and on the district’s long‑term staffing posture if enrollment trends continue to decline.

Ending: district staff said they will continue to refine legislative and aid estimates and bring the final budget for board action at the June 17 meeting.","District finance staff told the Rochester Public School District board the proposed 2025–26 budget preserves referendum commitments, maintains class sizes and programming, and projects a $317,000 surplus while drawing on prior-year, assigned fund balances and one-time bond and technology revenues.","actionData","errors"]

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Cradle to Career updates leadership table progress; prenatal‑to‑3 and FAFSA work noted

Rochester schools keep current cell‑phone procedure after year‑long rollout and spring survey

Rochester schools project small surplus as board prepares June 17 vote on 2025–26 budget