Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester School District started the new school year with considerably more students than expected. Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel discussed the preliminary enrollment numbers during his regular monthly appearance on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM with Andy Brownell on Rochester Today. Get our free mobile appStudent Numbers Higher Than Expected in Rochester SchoolsSuperintendent Pekel says the final enrollment numbers are still being tallied, but it appears the student headcount for the 2025–2026 school year could be hundreds above the level predicted by the most recent enrollment forecast. District staff are currently working to finalize the numbers by identifying students who moved away since the end of the previous school year and failed to notify the school system. The two-year labor agreement with the Rochester Education Association was ratified by the Rochester School Board last week.