Rochester Public Schools (RPS) is set to transition to a new student information system, moving away from the outdated Skyward platform. School officials revealed plans for this significant change during a presentation to the school board on January 20, 2024. The school board is expected to vote on the adoption of the new system at an upcoming meeting.
Kent Pekel, the district’s superintendent, emphasized the importance of this upgrade, stating, “A student information system is the data and electronic connective tissue of a modern school district. This touches every aspect of teaching and learning.” The system proposed for adoption is Edupoint Synergy, which aims to modernize the district’s data management.
Although the school board’s decision is imminent, the implementation of the new system will not occur until the beginning of the 2027-28 school year. The projected five-year cost of Edupoint Synergy is $1.21 million. In comparison, should RPS remain with the latest version of Skyward, the estimated five-year cost would be approximately $1.1 million. This indicates a difference of about $22,000 annually.
Stakeholder Involvement and System Benefits
The evaluation process for the new system involved a diverse group of stakeholders, including office managers, principals, teaching staff, registrars, counselors, and representatives from various departments such as technology, special education, and health services. Mike Johnson, RPS Technology Director, described the student information system (SIS) as “the central data repository for all student records.”
Edupoint Synergy is expected to enhance several key functions, including managing records for registration, enrollment, course scheduling, gradebooks, transcripts, attendance, and disciplinary actions. Johnson highlighted that the new system would also provide secure, role-based portals for parents, guardians, students, and staff to access real-time information, facilitating data-driven decision-making.
“This is where we go for all information pertaining to student records and student information,” Johnson stated during his presentation to the board. The transition to Edupoint Synergy represents a strategic move towards modernizing the district’s infrastructure, ultimately benefiting students and educators alike.
As Rochester Public Schools prepares for this significant change, it signals a commitment to enhancing the educational experience through improved data management and accessibility. The school board’s decision will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the district’s operations and effectiveness in supporting student learning.
