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• Like a subscription, local school levies must be renewed. The Replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy is a four-year levy funding the basic operations of the district beyond what is provided by the state. The state does not fully fund the cost to provide public education to our students. The state’s enrollment-based “prototypical funding model” helps fund services such as school nurses, physical and occupational therapists, counselors, and school safety officers. Unfortunately, these staffing levels are inadequate to meet today’s student needs. Our school district relies on local levies to provide staff, programs, and educational opportunities for our students.
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• Proposition 1: Replacement Levy

  Directly pays for basic general classroom and operational needs such as student support, academic programs, athletics, activities, and enrichment programs not fully funded by the state. It funds over 12% of the total operating revenue. 

• The Replacement EP&O Levy would fund:

  STUDENT SUPPORT

  • Classroom teachers and classroom educational assistants
  • Student Resource Officer - Security
  • Nurses, counselors,  & psychologists
  • Levy dollars support every employee group

   

  ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND CLASSROOM SUPPORTS

  • Special Education costs
  • Highly Capable and Multilingual Program staff
  • Curriculum materials & professional development for teachers
  • Advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement 

  
  

  ACTIVITIES, ATHLETICS, AND ENRICHMENT

  • Student athletics and activities, including coaches and advisors
  • Music and arts programs

   

  Levy RESOLUTION NO. 23-15

   

Estimated EP&O Replacement Levy
Rate/$1,000

Proposition 2: Rochester School District Bond

Proposition 2--the Rochester School District Bond--will continue Rochester’s commitment to replace our aging school buildings with schools built to today's safety standards and equipped for today's learning. This bond will rebuild Rochester High School and fund critical improvements across the district.

THE BOND SUPPORTS LEARNING ACROSS Rochester

• Equitable access to safe and modern schools
• Districtwide improvements for all students
• The 2000 bond built Rochester Primary School, modernized Rochester Middle School, and modernized Grand Mound Elementary School, on budget and on time. 

REPLACE AGING Rochester High SCHOOL WITH SAFE and MODERN new building

• The current building is built for 450 students. Current enrollment is 610+. The new building would house all students without portables. 
• The new building would provide modern classroom space for learning.
• Space for CTE programs would meet 21st-century learning needs.
• Bathroom facilities to meet current staff & student capacity.
• The infrastructure and systems behind the walls are failing (for example the water system). 

INCREASE SAFETY AND SECURITY

• Rochester Middle School: Add security vestibule, and make improvements to outdoor learning and athletic fields. 
• Grand Mound Elementary School: Add a security vestibule, construct an outdoor covered play structure to increase the opportunity for students to be outside during physical education and recess, and update the field for safe outdoor learning. 
• Rochester Primary School: Add a security vestibule, construct an outdoor covered play structure to increase the opportunity for students to be outside during physical education and recess, and update the field for safe outdoor learning. 

The Rochester School District Capital Facilities Advisory Task Force recommended the updated bond package to the Rochester Board of Directors at the September 27, 2023, School Board meeting (Presentation begins at 6:13 in the video). 

Bond RESOLUTION NO. 23-16

2024 BOND PROJECTS

cONCEPTUAL REPRESENTATION OF NEW hIGH SCHOOL

pLACEMENT OF RHS ON EXISITNG CAMPUS

ESTIMATED COST

 Bond of $89,190,000

Estimated cost of 
$2.31 per $1000 of assessed valuation
(matures in 21 years)

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Replacement Levy
& Bond
Town Hall

Families, students, staff, and the community are invited to listen, learn, and ask questions about the upcoming 2024 Levy and Bond.
Option 1
When:  January 23, 2024
Where: RHS, Library
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm

Option 2
When:  January 29, 2024
Where: RHS, Library
Time: 4:30-5:30 pm

Option 3
When:   Febuary 1, 2024
Where: Gate Schoolhouse
Time:     6:00-7:00 pm

Replacement Levy & Bond Information Brochure