Rochester Public School Board discusses finance committee - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- The Rochester School Board met Monday in a special session to deal with two expulsions. They then held a study session to discuss the creation of a finance committee.

Two students were expelled -- one for making terroristic threats and the other for violating the school's weapons policy and motor vehicle policy.

At the study session,  the board discussed the creation of a finance committee after only two members of the community volunteered to join.

The committee would be a fact-finding group that would not be able to make any recommendations to the board

They would be tasked with requests like finding alternative ways to fund iPads, breaking down the impact of universal healthcare on the district, or explaining Minnesota's school funding formula.

"We're looking to have a committee of staff members and people form the community, about 12 or so people, that would be interested in helping us decide where can we invest our money and what's the best ideas and concepts we can have to fund things we might not other wise get," said Dan O'Neil, the board Treasurer

O'Neil said the committee might eventually look at a referendum, but for the time being, they would be focusing on distributing the money the school has now rather than trying to get more.

Board members say they want at least eight volunteers who are not employed by the district, so they are reaching out for people would want to be part of the committee.