ROCHESTER, Minn.--Rochester Public Schools’ request to reconsider the cancellation of a $1.9 million federal grant was denied by the U.S. Department of Education on September 12, 2025. The grant supported the School-Based Mental Health Scholars program.

The district initially announced its intention to appeal the decision in May 2025. Superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel stated at a school board meeting on May 6, “We’re going to do whatever we can, but we do not have the funds to replace basically a $2 million federal grant, especially given how tight state funding is here in Minnesota.”

The grant, originally awarded to run from 2023 through the 2027-2028 school year, provided funding for school employees seeking graduate-level education and social work certification to support student mental h

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