Rochester Public Schools spent more than a quarter of a million dollars on a professional development program run by the superintendent’s wife, raising concerns about a possible conflict of interest.
District records obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES show that since 2022, Rochester Schools has paid for more than 50 employees to participate in the Minnesota Principals Academy – a professional development program at the University of Minnesota led by Dr. Katie Pekel.
Her husband, Dr. Kent Pekel, has served as Rochester’s superintendent since 2021.
After initially declining an interview, 5 INVESTIGATES approached Pekel after a recent school board meeting.
“Our family gets no direct benefit at all,” Pekel said. “She earns a salary that has nothing to do with the number of participants in the program or from Rochester.”
Pekel is adamant that he has been transparent about his wife’s role and insists there is no conflict.
But two ethics experts who spoke with 5 INVESTIGATES disagree.
What the Experts Say
Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, who spoke to 5 INVESTIGATES in his personal capacity, says this type of public spending presents a clear conflict of interest.
“One cannot, in a government position, make decisions about a contract with your spouse’s employer,” Painter said. “That’s a fundamental conflict of interest.”
Hamline University and St. Thomas Law Professor David Schultz said there’s “no question about it.”
“Using his position that encourages people to then use public dollars to go help pay for his wife’s salary, of which he benefits from, that’s the conflict of interest,” Schultz said.
5 INVESTIGATES asked Pekel to respond.
“Neither my wife nor I get a dime from the participation of some Rochester principals in the academy,” he said. “She earns a salary that has nothing to do with the number of participants in the program or from Rochester. And so, no, absolutely not. There is no throughline.”
The University of Minnesota says the Minnesota Principals Academy for nearly two decades and during that time, 786 people have enrolled from at least 163 school districts throughout the state.
“Principals who participate in the Minnesota Principals Academy provide overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experiences, reporting that they are better equipped to identify and implement evidence-based best practices in their schools,” said Alex Evanson, the program’s spokesperson.
School Board’s Decision
Pekel has stated multiple times that he’s been transparent about the program and his wife’s involvement and that none of the principals are required to participate.
Data from the training program, obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES, shows only two other districts sent more principals to the academy than Rochester Schools.
In an email to 5 INVESTIGATES, School Board Chair Cathy Nathan said that back in 2022, “the superintendent shared his intention to have Rochester principals participate in the Minnesota Principals Academy… and the role of Dr. Katie Pekel.”
The email added that “the chair and vice chair concluded that there was no conflict of interest because neither the superintendent nor his wife would receive any financial or career benefit.”
Nathan declined an interview request and walked away when approached by 5 INVESTIGATES at a recent board meeting.
Both government ethics experts said this situation doesn’t mean Rochester principals can’t participate in the program, but that Pekel should have recused himself from any conversations or decisions.
“It doesn’t matter how good the program is,” Schultz said. “The first thing that should occur is that he should not be in the game of making this kind of referral.”
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