Mayo Clinic's $10M Donation Saves Rochester Schools from Controversial Redistricting and Closure

Mayo Clinic is providing $10 million to Rochester Public Schools to prevent the closure of three schools and reduce the impact of a controversial redistricting plan. The funding is a one-time gift, prompting the district to seek a referendum in 2024 to raise $10 million annually. The district will gather community feedback and consider the timing of the referendum, taking into account the upcoming presidential election. If the referendum fails again, the district may face further challenges in the future. The plan, which faced opposition from parents and teachers, will be scaled back, and new school start times have been approved. The district has been dealing with a budget shortfall due to previous staffing decisions, and the funding from Mayo Clinic aims to maintain academic momentum and financial sustainability.