Rochester School Board Approves $44.5 Million Facility Realignment Plan

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester School Board has approved a more than $44.5 million plan to reshuffle its facilities. 

Read More: RPS Superintendent Reveals Major Facilities Proposal 

A statement released by the Rochester Public School District (RPS) earlier this year indicated the changes were needed to address maintenance needs, make necessary budget adjustments, and respond to current enrollment trends.

On Tuesday, the school board voted 6-0 to implement the changes. 

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Rochester School District Facility Plan Calls for Changes at Gage, Churchill and Hoover Elementaries

The plan calls for relocating Churchill Elementary K–2 and Hoover grades 3–5 programs into one K–5 school located at Hoover.

The board's agenda item says the move does not result in a change in attendance boundaries.

See Also: Former Firefighter Accused of Starting Oronoco Shed Fire 

The Hoover early childhood program, which uses 24 classrooms, will move half of its classrooms to Gage Elementary, where currently about half of the building is unused or underused. 

RPS’s Middle School Alternative Learning Center and the district’s RAIL Program, which is an independent living program for students with disabilities, will relocate to Churchill. An addition to the elementary is planned to house the RAIL Program. 

Phoenix Academy Plans

Board members also approved a renovation to the Phoenix Academy near the Olmsted County Fairgrounds. 

The special education site that addresses the needs of students with disabilities and intensive mental health and behavioral needs will temporarily move to the Friedell building while the work is taking place. 

Plans to sell the former middle school facility will be postponed until the Phoenix Academy renovation is completed.

The plan also calls from moving the district’s CTECH Program into spaces at the three public high schools and shifting the girl’s gymnastics program from Fridell to One Athletics. 

The facility changes will take effect during the 2027-28 school year.