This November, voters in Independent School District #535 will choose representatives to fill four (4) open seats on the School Board. Voters may select up to four candidates on their ballot. The candidates running in this nonpartisan election are listed below in alphabetical order:

Joe "Joe(Y)" Christenson
Justin M. Cook
Pat "Pot" Farmer
Ana Folpe
Flora Howie
Josh Koestler
Joe LaForge
Jean Marvin
Cathy Nathan
John Peck

School board positions will be listed on the back of the ballot. More information about each candidate can be found on the Secretary of State's website: https://myballotmn.sos.mn.gov.
8 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
cast your vote

Did you know that every public school student in Minnesota is part of a trust fund? Minnesota owns state public lands that generate revenue from timber, mining, and land leases. That money is placed into a protected investment trust dedicated strictly to supporting public school districts across the state. Due to investment growth, the fund has expanded from $675 million in 2010 to more than $2.3 billion today, but distributions have not kept pace because of outdated constitutional restrictions. This November, Minnesota voters can vote to increase the fund.

What does this ballot question change?

  • Sends more money to classrooms: Current constitutional rules limit payouts primarily to interest and dividends, restricting how much money reaches schools. The amendment modernizes the formula to increase the annual distribution from 2-2.5% to 4.5% of the fund's total value, significantly increasing payments to all Minnesota public schools.

  • Zero tax increase: It does not raise property, income, or sales taxes. It uses money already sitting in an existing investment fund.

  • Bipartisan agreement: The update was unanimously recommended by a nonpartisan task force and received strong bipartisan support in both the Minnesota House and Senate.

Under Minnesota law, a constitutional amendment must receive approval from a majority of all voters. Skipping the question has the exact same mathematical impact as actively voting against it. To support the amendment, you must vote "YES." Leaving the question blank counts as a "NO" vote. You can learn more about this at www.mnpsfamendment.org.

12 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
Permanent School Fund Constitutional Amendment

Join us for our Fall Family Fun Night!

12 days ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of family night flyer

Reminder: there is no school on Wednesday, September 23. RPS staff will participate in a Curriculum and Development (CAD) Day to plan instruction and engage in professional development. We will see students back in school on Thursday, September 24.

15 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
No School Wednesday, September 23, 2026
We had our Character Strong Kindness Recognition Assembly today! Lots of examples of Deep Kindness. Congratulations to the following students:
Grade K - April, Olivia, Ryan and Lynken
Grade 1 - Vanessa, Layan, Lennon and Belfina
Grade 2 - Alejandro, Clara and Eleanor
Grade 3 - Adhieu and Jes'siah
Grade 4 - Riyan, Floratine, Aulis, and Wes
Grade 5 - Ayden, Deng, and Arya
22 days ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
pic of students
pic of students
pic of students
pic of students
pic of students

The school year is in full swing, and so is your chance to grab some RPS gear! Our Apparel Shop is open through Friday, September 18, 2026, and items will be available for pick up at your school at the end of October. Shop here: https://rps26sunsetterrace.itemorder.com/shop/home/

26 days ago, Rochester Public Schools
sunset terrace apparel

Reminder: there is no school on Friday, September 4, for all schools except Longfellow Elementary, which will have a regular school day. Additionally, there will be no school, and RPS offices and buildings will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

about 1 month ago, Rochester Public Schools
No school Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7
Our first Character Strong assembly on Kindness was a great success! We even had a guest reader - thank you to Ms. Wichmann, former SST Principal, for coming in and celebrating with us and sharing how kindness can be something we do EVERY DAY!
about 1 month ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
Sunset Terrace and Rochester Scheels worked together to get ten picnic tables for our students and staff to enjoy! If/when you stop by Rochester Scheels, please thank them for their dedication to being active in our community!
about 1 month ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
Popsicles with Principals! Today on the playground from 4-5p. See you there!
about 2 months ago, Chad Schroeder
Popsicles
We continue to be overwhelmed by our community! Today, we were able to visit with DR Horton Builders at their model home within our Sunset Terrace school boundary. The amount of back to school supplies was unbelievable! We know that are start to the school year will be awesome! @DRHortonMinnesota
about 2 months ago, Chad Schroeder
Weekly Newsletter
Weekly Newsletter
Don't let the Superintendent drive (or yell, or throw things on) the bus! We're so excited to see you for the upcoming school year, and bus schedules are coming soon! But you need to get to school safely before you can start learning. Learn all the rules of the school bus with Dr. Kent Pekel and some of his friends from Longfellow Elementary in the RPS Bus Safety video.
about 2 months ago, Rochester Public Schools
First Student Bus
We are so fortunate for all of our community supporters! Today, Heather from Eagle Brook Church, dropped off donated teacher baskets for each of our classrooms!
about 2 months ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
Great tradition of Rockin' Recess for the last day of school at Sunset Terrace! Thank you to DJ Tony, our lead engineer who does everything with a smile.
4 months ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
pic of students

In Craftopia (Gr. 2-5), creativity knows no bounds! This four-day camp invites students to explore a wide variety of art materials and crafting techniques while creating projects they’ll be proud to take home. Join CE Youth Enrichment for a hands-on, imagination-filled experience. Register today at bit.ly/rochce-craftopia.

4 months ago, Rochester Community Education
young child holding crafted rocket ship
Thank you Colonial Lanes for providing a memorable experience for our 4th graders!
4 months ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
Congratulations to our two Wildcats of the Week!
Mirabella and Corbin - way to continue to demonstrate our CATS expectations.
4 months ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
Grade level leaders from our Run Club! Congrats to all of you!
4 months ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students
Thank you to Soojin Lee and the MacPhail Center for Music for your collaboration with Sunset Terrace throughout the 2025-2026 school year!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_ihn_e6hFbGCLSv7gQq5YqaPxqinmhVM?usp=sharing
4 months ago, Chad Schroeder
Our kindergarteners were on full display! Thank you to all the families, Ms. Mogensen our music teacher and our Kindergarten team - Ms. Bell, Ms. Gooley, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Wood!
4 months ago, Chad Schroeder
pic of students