School board approves superintendent's reorganization, eliminating four positions and creating two new roles amid $8.3M shortfall; vote 5–2

The Rochester Public Schools board voted 5–2 on April 21 to approve a superintendent‑proposed reorganization that eliminates four senior‑leadership positions and creates two new roles intended to align equity and learning‑environment work amid a projected $8.3 million budget shortfall for next year.

Superintendent Kent Pel framed the recommendation as a painful but necessary set of moves to address the district’s multi‑year budget reductions. The resolution directed elimination, effective July 1, of the executive director of community engagement and partnerships; executive director of family engagement and youth empowerment (previously variously titled in earlier administrations); director of positive behavioral supports; and director of school leadership and improvement. The resolution also authorized creation of an executive director of learning environments and a director of equity and organizational development, and it appointed Jackie Peterson as chief operating officer (COO) pending the board’s approval, while authorizing the superintendent to implement associated administrative actions.

Pel said the cuts would be accompanied by reorganizing staff so core functions continue under other leaders and that the reorganization would yield approximately $442,000 in savings. He described the director of equity and organizational development as responsible for system‑level equity reviews, budgeting and staffing review, and periodic board reporting on equity‑policy implementation; the executive director of learning environments would consolidate positive behavior systems, mental‑health and attendance work, homeless education, and related student‑support functions.

Board members engaged in extensive debate. Supporters said the reorganization seeks to preserve functions while saving money, centralize accountability, and place equity responsibilities into a director role focused on system design and organizational development. Opponents and concerned members questioned moving an explicitly cabinet‑level equity post to director level, arguing the change reduces visibility and could undercut representation; some members urged clearer equity dashboards and metrics and asked the superintendent to ensure that staff and functions now dispersed will continue. Several board members emphasized the emotional and reputational impact of eliminating roles held by respected staff and pressed for transparency about where functions and personnel would be assigned.

Superintendent Pel acknowledged the tradeoffs repeatedly: the cuts were driven by the budget target the board had previously set, he said, and the proposed new positions would be posted and filled following the district’s hiring processes. Board members asked for follow‑up reporting on where functions land, demographic data about director positions, and assurances that equity work and measurement would continue. Pel said two new director‑level positions were already in the final stages of recruitment and that some roles funded by grants would not be continued in the general fund budget.

The resolution was moved, seconded, and passed on a roll call vote of 5 in favor and 2 opposed. The board approved other finance items at the meeting, including a resolution authorizing issuance of $33.8 million in general obligation facilities maintenance bonds (Series 2026A) and refunding bonds in the approximate aggregate principal amount of $18,390,000; that resolution was approved by voice vote earlier in the meeting.

The board asked administration to provide clearer documentation of which staff and duties will shift, a more precise accounting of projected savings, and metrics to monitor equity outcomes moving forward.