ROCHESTER, Minn. - Rochester Public Schools is asking voters to approve a ten-year $19.4 million referendum in this general election. On Oct. 8, the board finalized its Referendum Defeat Resolution, outlining what would happen if it fails.

In this plan, RPS would have to increase class sizes by three students. They would reduce central office positions and non-instructional positions. Students would also have less opportunities to receive support or assistance as dozens of positions would be cut including reading specialists and school counselors.

CTECH and other advanced learning programs would be on the chopping block if the referendum fails. RPS also says that three elementary schools would close if voters reject this referendum. With so much at stake, Superintendent Kent Pekel addresses voter concerns with the district's money management.

Superintendent Pekel says, "we do manage our money well, we know what is there. Education is a little bit like a business and it's not, it's like a business in that all the money comes from the number of kids but we can't cut the services, we have to teach the state standards, we have to teach the kids with disabilities and we can't charge for it."

The three schools that would close if the referendum fails have not been named yet, but they must be identified before Jan. 1. RPS is holding a study session on Oct. 15, focusing on the connection between funding and student learning. Oct. 22, will be the final school board meeting where members will answer the toughest questions submitted on this campaign.