Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What a 1% school tax hike could mean for Rochester homeowners

Coming up: Inclusive Video Gaming Event on the Rochester Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Good day Rochester! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What a 1% school tax hike could mean for Rochester homeowners
  • How Rochester teens can register for the Walz-led youth summit
  • What the new Rochester ESP contract means for school staff pay

Also on today's calendar: Inclusive Video Gaming Event and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 74 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Friday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 64, low: 60.
  • Saturday: A little morning rain; cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rochester Public School Board discusses budget, future of schools (kaaltv.com) — Rochester residents could see about a 1% increase in the school property tax levy next year, which officials say would be the smallest hike in roughly a decade. The School Board also approved a new contract for education support professionals and began shaping a 2030 strategic plan focused on student-teacher connections, added supports, and guidelines for using AI in schools.
   

2. Walz set as featured speaker for Rochester youth summit (postbulletin.com) — Rochester high school students can hear Gov. Tim Walz and other speakers at a free Youth Leadership and Success Summit on Sept. 23 at Mayo Civic Center and the Chateau Theatre. Sponsored by Mayor Kim Norton, the 11 a.m.–8 p.m. event includes dinner, leadership training, civic engagement sessions, mental health discussions, and requires advance online registration for Olmsted County students.
   

3. Rochester Public Schools approves contract with the district's education support professionals (postbulletin.com) — Rochester Public Schools has approved a new two-year contract raising pay and longevity benefits for the district's education support professionals starting in 2026-27. Hourly wages, including interpreter positions, will increase, and long-serving staff will see higher monthly longevity pay, directly affecting many classroom support workers and the students they assist across Rochester schools.
   

4. Highway 52 Closure Planned For Final Paving Work Near Rochester (kroc.com) — Drivers in and around Rochester should prepare for a full closure of Highway 52 at the I-90 interchange from the morning of September 22 through the evening of September 24, with several detours using County Road 7, Marion Road, and Highway 63. Newly reopened ramps now restore some access between eastbound I-90 and northbound Highway 52, but southbound connections will continue to rely on marked detours.
   

5. Rachel Platten Reveals the Mayo Clinic Connection to 'Fight Song' (krocnews.com) — Mayo Clinic staff in Rochester just enjoyed a large appreciation celebration downtown and at Saint Marys Hospital, capped by a performance from pop star Rachel Platten. She shared how "Fight Song" was first played years ago on a Gonda Building piano while her family faced a health crisis here, deepening the song's connection to Rochester patients and caregivers.
   

📸 Around Rochester

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Garage Sale
    Thursday 17th, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th. From 8am to 6pm A little bit of everything, you dont want to miss it. 3111 Knoll Lane NW Rain or shine (Nextdoor North District)
  • Cul-De-Sac Snack Shack
    OPEN ALL WEEK!! Breads: Sourdough bread Blueberry sourdough bread Sourdough sandwich bread White bread Rolls: Classic Blueberry Raspberry Last… (Nextdoor North District)
  • Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Team Member 39357 in Rochester. Apply here.
  • SPECTRUM posted a job opening for Retail Sales Specialist in Rochester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rochester here.

Ok Rochester! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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