Welcome

Good afternoon,                            

As you are aware, the Rockford Public Schools, like every school district in the state of Michigan, does not have a 2025-2026 school budget. Legally, the legislature was required to pass a school aid budget by July 1. 

They did not.

The next school aid budget deadline is October 1 – a few short days away.

The most immediate impact of the legislature’s lack of action is that funding for the continuation of school meals has not been finalized.

As I have mentioned previously, current funding for our school meals program ends September 30. I was hopeful that funding would be settled by now and delayed sending something out prematurely.

But, it is clear, that we might not know if the state will continue to fund the breakfast and lunch program moving forward. And you need to know how to plan. 

The Governor and the Senate want to continue the program. The House does not want to set designated funds aside for this program.

We anticipate that the legislature and the Governor will finalize a school aid budget soon.

Starting October 1, without any movement on the state budget, Rockford will begin to charge for breakfast and lunch for those students not eligible for free and reduced meals.

Thank you for your patience as we wait for legislative action and for the completion of the state budgeting process. Should the state fund free breakfast and lunch, we will participate in that program.

I will keep you posted.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews, Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools