ROCORI board approves handbooks, school trips, superintendent contract and operational changes

At its August meeting the ROCORI Public School District board approved a slate of personnel and operational items ranging from employee handbooks to district travel, a superintendent contract and an updated e-learning agreement with Education Minnesota ROCORI.

Votes at a glance — the board approved: - Employee handbook (motion by Lynn; second by Kayla). - Community education staff handbook (motion by Jennifer; second by Lynn). - Kid care handbook (motion by Lynn; second by Robin). - Spartan Spot handbook (motion by Jennifer; second by Matt). - Community Head Pre-K handbook (motion by Lynn; second by Robin). - Washington, D.C., eighth-grade trip for October 14–17, 2026, with materials to be distributed to seventh-graders (motion by Jennifer; second by Matt). - New York City trip for June 9–12, 2027, open to grades 9–11 (motion by Lynn; second by Robin). - A three-year contract for the superintendent incorporating modest annual salary increases and benefit adjustments (motion by Jennifer; second by Kayla). - An increase in substitute daily pay for 2025–26 to maintain competitiveness (motion by Matt; second by Robin). - An updated e-learning / virtual-school-day plan and a corresponding memorandum of understanding with Education Minnesota ROCORI (motions by Jennifer and Lynn for plan and MOU respectively).

Board discussion and context Board members noted that the multiple handbooks had been reviewed at earlier meetings and presented these as routine annual updates. The board approved each handbook after brief discussion and a named motion and second; no roll-call tallies were read aloud in the meeting transcript.

On student travel, middle- and high-school social studies teachers described itineraries and logistics for the two multi-day trips. The staff said the district works with a travel provider (World Classrooms) that supplies trip staff and local guides, and they outlined typical itineraries and cost-management strategies. The board approved both trips so families would have time to budget and plan.

The board approved a three-year superintendent contract recommended by the negotiating committee (Lynn, Kayla and Matt). Committee members described the agreement as in line with other area contracts: it included a multi-year salary schedule with a 2% annual increase, modest revisions to paid holidays and vacation redemption language, and an increase in life-insurance coverage (presenters said the policy would be doubled from a stated $100,000). The board motion carried.

On substitutes, administration recommended raising the daily base substitute rate (presentation cited a prior $170 daily rate and recommended increasing it to remain competitive; retirees’ daily rates were also discussed). The board approved new substitute rates for the 2025–26 school year so the district can continue to fill positions, particularly amid regional competition for substitute teachers.

The board also approved the district’s e-learning/virtual-day framework and an annual MOU with Education Minnesota ROCORI covering virtual days. Presentation and bargaining updates explained that the district will differentiate between “e-learning” (used primarily at the secondary level and counted toward state-required hours) and shorter “virtual days” in elementary settings; the agreement allows the district to choose which approach to use when weather or building issues make in-person instruction impractical.

What the board did not do No tax-levy or curriculum adoptions were decided at the meeting. The QComp presentation and Action Packs nonprofit presentation were informational and did not require board votes.

Next steps and follow-up District leaders said they will continue to finalize logistics for the approved student trips and proceed with implementation steps for substitute-pay changes and the e-learning plan. The negotiating committee will continue bargaining work with teacher and paraprofessional groups on outstanding finance items.