RPS presents second-part review of strategic plan: MTSS, belonging, mental health screening, career pathways and school improvement
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Summary
District leaders reviewed progress on the 2021 strategic plan building blocks, including multi-tiered systems of support (literacy-focused MTSS), restorative belonging and behavior work, expanded mental-health screening (BASC-3 opt-out pilot), deployment of Xello for career pathways, and steps to strengthen school improvement processes and principal capacity.
Rochester Public Schools staff used the Dec. 16 board meeting to present a second installment of the district's strategic plan review, detailing progress and next steps across multiple building blocks: MTSS, belonging and behavior, school improvement (SKIP), funding redesign, postsecondary and career pathways, philanthropic partnerships, leadership capacity, and mental health supports.
MTSS and literacy: District leaders described a literacy-focused audit with the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement and outlined how MTSS now emphasizes strong Tier 1 instruction plus layered Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions. Staff described literacy labs at each high school that provide small-group foundational reading support ("We try to cap it at less than 15, but most of our groups are around 5 or 6," a staff member said).
Belonging and behavior: The panel emphasized combining restorative practices and student voice collection with clearer reentry plans after suspension. Staff are building model practices for Tier 1 in every building and training principals on consistent implementation.
School improvement (SKIP) and funding alignment: Eric Johnson described a redesigned site-centered school improvement process aimed at strengthening building-level goals and aligning flexible funding to those goals. The district also reported progress on the balanced budget model, which seeks to align flexible school dollars with SKIP priorities.
Postsecondary and career pathways: The district is in Year 2 of implementing Xello; staff said all students receive structured lessons and high schools are beginning to devote scheduled time to postsecondary readiness. The district reported upward family engagement for targeted online sessions (over 200 families logged into one session) and plans to track student and family activation rates for ongoing outreach.
Mental health screening: The district described a voluntary opt-out screening pilot using the BASC-3 tool in 13 buildings this fall, with five more buildings interested next spring. Staff said screening results mostly confirmed expected needs, allowed targeted interventions without mass over-identification, and prompted better-aligned IEP goals in some cases; the district acknowledged communication and equity challenges (translation and active vs. passive consent) and said it is refining materials for families in native languages.
Leadership and coaching: The Principal Connect series and professional development for principals were highlighted as central to sustaining gains in instruction and school improvement.
Board members asked detailed questions about implementation fidelity, equity, family engagement, data tracking, transportation barriers for career pathways, grant sustainability, and next steps for the strategic plan. Staff committed to continued transparency, monitoring, and clearer communications for families and staff.
