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Parents and teachers press Rock Ridge board over music and counseling cuts
Summary
Multiple parents, a student and district staff told the board that proposed staffing reductions — particularly in music and counseling — risk equity and student supports and requested clearer communication and additional review before final decisions.
Several community members and staff addressed the Rock Ridge School Board to urge caution on proposed staffing reductions and to call for clearer communication.
Kelsey Norvidge, who identified herself as representing the music task force and as a parent, said she was concerned that teacher non‑renewals and other staffing actions were added without adequate public notice and cited the Minnesota open meeting law. "When something is impactful," she said, "staffing reductions are introduced and acted on without notice, it undermines the transparency and erodes my trust in this board." She asked the board to place the music strategic plan on a future agenda and argued music is a core part of education that affects family enrollment decisions.
Teachers and other speakers described proposed counseling cuts as particularly worrisome. Kimberly Matala, a paraprofessional and substitute, said replacing counselors with administrative deans would reduce confidential, trusted supports for students facing addiction, eating disorders and family instability. Superintendent (speaker 7) later addressed those concerns in the staffing update, saying he did not believe the counseling department would be closed and that principals supported continuing counseling services.
Board members asked administration for enrollment and participation numbers for music, and the superintendent said administrators would provide those figures at the next meeting and that the music advocates would return to present their request for additional FTE. Trustees also asked for detailed staffing placements and said administrators are working to follow state law, contract and licensure rules before finalizing assignments.
Public-comment speakers urged the board to follow its own policies on timely communication and to ensure the community has meaningful opportunities to engage before final decisions that affect staffing are made.
The superintendent said the district will conduct private conversations with affected teachers and aims to present a clear staffing plan at the first board meeting in May.
