Pekel to stay on as superintendent of Rochester Public Schools

The search for the next superintendent of Rochester Public Schools is over.

On Tuesday, the Rochester School Board voted to suspend the search process and offer the position to interim Superintendent Kent Pekel.

Pekel, who was brought on last July, verbally accepted the offer, pending contract negotiations with the district’s attorney.

Pekel told the board he was “deeply honored” by the opportunity to continue at RPS. He called his first eight months in Rochester a “roller coaster,” but added that he continues to learn and grow from the experience, his first as a public school district superintendent.

“I think the opportunity we have here in Rochester is extraordinary,” said Pekel. “There is no place I rather be.”

The decision to offer Pekel a contract followed a community survey in which respondents listed “effective communicator” and “strategic thinker” as characteristics they would like to see in a superintendent.

Board members agreed Pekel has proven to be both.

“I had a very difficult time reading this community feedback without thinking: that’s our interim superintendent,” said School Board Director Cathy Nathan.

The board also noted that when the public was asked directly who should be offered the position, Pekel’s name was the overwhelming favorite.

Pekel was hired on an interim basis last year following the departure of Michael Muñoz. The contract was for one year. Prior to coming to RPS, Pekel led the Search Institute, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit.

Cover: Pekel, left, and School Board Chair Jean Marvin