Four priorities and 13 Change Projects, shaped by input from thousands of students, families, staff and community members, will focus the district's work for the next four years
Rochester, MN – The Rochester Public Schools (RPS) School Board on Tuesday, October 20, approved RPS 2030, the district's new strategic plan. The plan sets the direction for the district's work over the next four years and is organized around four priorities: Challenging Learning, Purposeful Pathways, Supportive Communities, and Organizational Excellence.
Within those priorities are 13 Change Projects — focused, transformative efforts designed to improve student outcomes and strengthen the systems that support students and staff.
“RPS 2030 isn't the superintendent's plan or even the board's plan — it belongs to the students, families, staff, and community members who spent more than a year helping shape it," said Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel. "Our students are growing up in a world that is changing faster than ever, from artificial intelligence to the constant pull of their phones. This plan gives us a focused roadmap to make sure every student is challenged in the classroom, connected to a purposeful path beyond graduation, and supported by a community that believes in them.”
A plan built by the RPS community
RPS 2030 is the product of more than a year of planning and engagement. Beginning in fall 2025, the district invited parents, caregivers, staff, and community members to share their perspectives through an online feedback form offered in multiple languages, focus groups organized by school level, and three strategic planning committees.
Design teams and performance measure teams helped shape the plan's content and how progress will be tracked. The district partnered with the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership and Latino Lead to reach communities whose voices are not always heard in planning processes. The engagement work was supported by a grant from Mayo Clinic.
That feedback directly shaped the final plan. District leaders narrowed an initial list of 42 concepts to 13 Change Projects so the district can concentrate its time and resources where they will matter most. Community members emphasized classroom safety, clear guidance on student use of artificial intelligence, and stronger communication with families. Ideas that were not included as Change Projects will continue to be addressed through the everyday work of district departments.
“The board approved RPS 2030 because it reflects what we heard from our community and because it is built for accountability,” said Cathy Nathan, chair of the Rochester School Board. “When we looked back at our last strategic plan, we asked for clear timelines, realistic capacity, and a direct connection to the budget. This plan delivers that. By focusing on 13 Change Projects, the district can put its resources where they will make the biggest difference for students — and we will be able to measure whether they are working.”
The four priorities
Challenging Learning
Strengthen MTSS in Literacy for Every Learner
Design and Implement MTSS in Math for Every Learner
Expand Access to High-Quality Advanced Coursework (HQAC)
Enhance Middle School Success and Accountability
Purposeful Pathways
Design and Implement Career Pathways
Improve Transitions Across School Levels
Supportive Communities
Design and Implement MTSS for Positive Student Behavior & Wellbeing
Strengthen School-Family Partnerships
Clarify and Convey School Identities and Stories
Organizational Excellence
Strengthen the Capacity of the School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP) Process to Meet Performance Measure Targets
Design a Professional Growth and Evaluation System for All Staff
Create and Continually Improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Harness the Benefits and Mitigate the Harms of Digital Technology
What's next
Implementation of RPS 2030 begins this school year. The district will share regular progress updates with staff, families, and the community. The full plan is available at www.rochesterschools.org/rps-2030.