Rochester, IL (WAND) – Big changes are ahead for the Rochester School District. District leaders are proposing $3.1 million in cuts. Now, many community members are concerned about how this will impact the classroom, staff and students.

“We find ourselves facing people losing their livelihoods. Bigger class sizes and a more difficult educational path for the students of Rochester,” an attendee said.

For the 2026-27 school year, the Rochester School District said it is planning ahead for the worst-case scenario, as federal funding cuts continue. This board meeting presents a budget deficit plan that shows where funds can be cut without a major impact on student services. Rochester Board of Education President Amy Reynolds said staff will eventually be impacted.

“Federal funds are drying up. We’re not being promised any federal money. This is not a fun thing for the board to do. We are a small community, and many of the people that will be affected by this, we call friends,” Reynolds said.

From staff cuts to classroom materials, these millions of dollars in cuts could hurt the district.

“We cannot make all of these cuts. If you were to do that, this would be a pain that this district, this community will live with for years and we will not recover for years,” another attendee said.

The board has not approved a plan, and is expected to vote on the deficit plan in February.