RPS Bond Proposal 2025

Looking to the future of Rockford Public Schools, our community will vote on a bond proposal on the November 4, 2025, election ballot. This proposal would authorize the district to borrow $230 million for district-wide improvements, with an estimated zero mill increase over the 2025 debt millage. The bond proposal furthers RAMS XII, our strategic plan, with pillars focused on: Building for the Future and Advancing Excellence.

Building for the Future

Building for the future

Providing safe and functional spaces that support and enhance educational programs.

Add air-conditioning to all remaining schools that need it.
Improve safety and security by installing electronic door locks for all classrooms.
Enhance entry circulation and safety by improving students' experiences and strengthen safety at Rockford HS and East Rockford MS.
Gym and/or cafeterias will be added to all remaining elementary schools to allow them all to have separate gym and cafeteria spaces.
Update aging infrastructure, such as: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofs, and outdated systems.
Enhance outdoor facilities (restrooms, seating, entry/exit) to improve community experience.
Update technology infrastructure.
Playground equipment upgrades to all remaining schools.
Replace aging buses to maintain the replacement cycle to keep the bus fleet modern and safe.

Advancing Excellence

Advancing excellence

Creating learning environments that enhance innovation and opportunity.

Performing Arts Center renovation: new seats, stage, walls and interior improvements.
Construction of the Ram Center: indoor turf fieldhouse for athletics, fine arts and community recreation. Classroom spaces for digital media, sports marketing and business programming.
Career exploration classrooms at Rockford HS: expanding hands-on learning through Robotics, Skilled Trades, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and Health Sciences.
Enhance students' experiences: renovating student-centered collaboration spaces.
Early childhood renovations: updating spaces to enhance programs for our youngest learners and to enhance safety.
Update educational technology

Rooted in Community & Students

RAMS XII Strategic Plan

Rooted in community conversations which involves hundreds of stakeholders, including students.

Prioritizing student readiness: The 2025 Bond Proposal would further strategic pillars and priorities, which are: Academic Excellence, Wellness and Preparedness, Social Responsibility and Community Engagement, Collaborative Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness.

Community Committee

Gathering community input: A wide cross-section of community members formed a Community Input Committee with district staff. The Committee met five times to evaluate opportunities across the district, provide feedback, and make a recommendation to the Board of Education regarding facility improvements.

Ongoing Stakeholder Conversations

Validation of input and alignment was established by having continual conversations to ensure a variety of ideas and voices were included in creating the proposal.