District Update, 9/29/25

Good afternoon,

At the Board of Education meeting this past Monday night, the following actions and reports were on the agenda:

• Rockford Education Association (REA - teachers and certified staff) wage agreement was ratified
• Rockford Education Support Personnel Association (RESPA - paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, custodians, food service, bus drivers) wage agreement was ratified
• There was the first reading of the fall policy update
• A stage turntable purchase was approved
• Two extra classroom sets of furniture were approved for Edgerton Trails
• Bond update report
• Student achievement report

The bond update highlighted information on the upcoming bond election. A proposal is on the ballot to approve continuing our millage rate at 7 mills for capital improvement projects. This proposal is a zero mill increase and continues the millage rate at 7 mills. By approving the continuation of our current rate, we will generate revenue to support maintaining our facilities and creating new opportunities for our students and community. There are a variety of projects that would be undertaken if this proposal is approved. The full list is on the district website, but highlights include:

• Air conditioning for our elementary buildings and Parkside Early Childhood Center (6 of 8 elementary buildings do not have air conditioning)
• Gyms for the four elementary buildings that do not have a separate gym and cafeteria
• Electronic door locks for all interior classroom doors
• Outdoor bathrooms and bleacher improvements at North and East Rockford Middle Schools
• Renovations to the Rockford High School Performing Arts Center
• Construction of the RAM Center - an indoor turf facility with instructional space for a new Beyond the Rock studio, graphic design classroom, and a student-run retail store
• Career and technical education (CTE) classroom expansion at Rockford High School
• Bus purchases on a regular cycle

More information is available at our district website: 2025 RPS Bond Proposal and Enhancement Millage Proposal - Our District - Rockford Public Schools

I would encourage you to get informed and to vote. Absentee ballots are available now. Election day is November 4.

Monday night’s student achievement report highlighted the progress that has been made by our students. We have worked hard over the past several years to sharpen our focus on teaching and learning. Our teachers collaborate now more than ever. We use data to make decisions about how to help students. And the results show that we are making progress.

Are we where we need to be? No. But we are continuing to make progress. 88% of our 8^th grade students on the PSAT met or exceeded the standard in English Language Arts. Over 80% of our 11^thgraders met or exceeded the standard in reading and writing on the SAT.

The fall play “Clue” will have four shows November 7, 8, and 9. Tickets are available now. Ludus - ROCKTIX

As always if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out or to talk with me when you see me in the community.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews

Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools

After the uncertainty of last week, I wanted to provide some clarity on our state budget and its impact here in Rockford.

School meals were included in the state budget. Free breakfast and lunch will continue through the 2025-2026 school year for all students at all schools.

Our per pupil allocation was increased to $10,050 per student. That is an increase over what we have received the last two years. Since 2023/24 we have received $9,608 per student. So, an increase was well past due.

The budget continues to provide funds to supplement our transportation budget. Our district is 100 square miles. We spend over $5.3 million dollars for transportation - drivers, mechanics, fuel, and parts. That $5 million does not include buses which we have paid for through our bonds. 

Thank you for reaching out to our state legislators and advocating for our district. It had a positive impact on this process.

The budget uncertainty was frustrating. However, it has not impacted the wonderful things that are going on in our school district this year. 

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews

Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools

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

Good afternoon,

The school aid budget, due July 1, has still not been completed. The legislature is required by law to pass the school aid budget - Public Act 94 of 1979 (the State School Aid Act) was amended in 2018 to specifically mandate that the Legislature and Governor enact the K-12 school aid budget by July 1. Alas the law has no penalty for not passing the budget. So even though the legislature has broken the law they will not suffer any consequence for their inaction.

So here we sit.

No budget and no real indication that a budget will be passed soon.

For those of you who are interested the process is not simple or quick.

• The legislature has to agree on a budget that can be passed by a majority of both the House and Senate.
• Then it has to go to the Governor for signature into law.
• Before the Governor will sign it, the Governor has her staff and the attorneys in her office review the bill to ensure that it is legal, clear, and has no unintended consequences.  
• After passage of the bill, it can be another two weeks before the Governor is ready to sign the bill.

So, what does that mean for us?

Our district is fortunate. We have cash reserves. They are not meant for this but, for now, we have the ability to withstand a disruption from the state.

If you are willing, I would encourage you to reach out to our legislators.

The message is simple:

• We need a budget for the school year that has already started.
• It is irresponsible for the legislature to expect schools to cover expenses for this school year without knowing our budget.
• The school aid budget should be used to support K-12 education.
• School aid needs to support K-12 education as much as possible.
  • Universities and colleges already receive funding from the school aid budget even though when Proposal A started in 1994, they were funded exclusively from the general fund.
  • Higher education is important but they can raise tuition or expand enrollment to generate revenue.
  • K-12 public school districts do not have those options.
• Proposal A in 1994 was sold to the voters as a K-12 funding source.
• Taking money from K-12 to fund roads is not acceptable.
• Strong public schools should be a priority.
• School aid needs to be a priority.
  • Public schools received no additional state aid in the 2024-2025 school year.
  • Our per pupil allocation has been $9608 per student for 2 years.
  • Public schools need an increase in state aid to make up for the lack of a cost-of-living increase in 2024-25 and the rising costs in 2025-26.
• School aid needs to be funded with continuing funds – not one-time budget gimmicks.
• Critical funds for school transportation, school meals, and school safety and mental health needs to be part of the school funding package.

Our State Representative is Bryan Posthumus, BryanPosthumus@house.mi.gov Office: 517-373-0830

Almost a billion dollars of the school aid budget goes to fund colleges and universities already. The House Budget plan diverts almost $1.8 million more dollars from the school aid budget to colleges and universities and away from K-12 education. If the House budget is enacted, that would total almost $2.5 billion from school aid to colleges and universities. Colleges and universities are important but not at the expense of K-12 education. 

The House budget also combines many categories of funds into a one-time allocation of an additional $1975 per student. While appreciated it does not give districts the ability to plan for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. While it looks good on paper it does nothing to bring financial stability in the long-term to districts. 

Our State Senator for Rockford and Plainfield Township is Mark HuizengaSenMHuizenga@senate.michigan.gov Office: 517-373-0797 and for Algoma, Cannon, Courtland, Grattan, and Oakfield Townships is Rick Outman SenROutman@senate.michigan.gov Office: 517-373-3760.

A simple email or call to their office from you highlighting these key points would be helpful.

This email, while longer than it should have been, is meant to reassure you and call you to action.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews, Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

As our school year enters its third week, I would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped to make this year a success.

First, our students. They have come to school ready to learn. They have been eager and focused.

Next, our parents. You did a wonderful job preparing your children for the start of school. Speaking for the Rockford staff, we deeply appreciate all that you have done to support us as the school year has started.

Next, our staff. From our maintenance and custodial department that prepared the buildings and grounds, to our bus drivers, food service staff, administrative assistants, teachers and administrators who worked hard to make sure school was ready, I extend my thanks. A special shout out to our tech department for making sure our technology was ready. All have done a great job of ensuring that we were prepared to welcome our students and families back to school.

Finally, Mother Nature. Aside from a bit of rain, the temperatures have been wonderful!

On Monday, September 8, our Board of Education held its monthly meeting. More information is available on our website - Board of Education - Our District - Rockford Public Schools – but here are key agenda items:

• Emergency Operations Plans: The Board of Education approved our Emergency Operations Plans after a presentation by Executive Director of Safety and Security, Scott Beckman.
  • The state of Michigan is requiring districts to approve emergency operation plans by January of every even-numbered year.
    • Rockford is ahead of the pack and approved our plans last night.
  • The presentation introduced the revised Standard Response Protocol (SRP).
    • The state of Michigan is requiring all districts to move to a state-wide SRP by October 2026.
      • Again, Rockford is moving forward already.
  • The Standard Response Protocol identifies a state-wide language for schools.
    • More information will be sent to parents later in the month, just before we introduce this language to our students.
    • There will also be signs posted throughout our facilities to ensure that everyone knows the standard response protocol.
    • There are five cues:
      • Hold – Stay in your room or area. Clear the halls.
      • Secure – Get inside. Lock outside doors. (As a reminder, all outside doors are always locked during the school hours in Rockford.)
      • Lockdown – Locked, lights off, out of sight.
      • Evacuate – To the announced location.
      • Shelter – Strategy will vary depending on the hazard.
    • Again, more information and details will come in a letter to parents at the end of September.
• Parkside Early Childhood Library: The Board of Education approved using grant funds to support enhancing the library for our Parkside Early Childhood Center.
  • We kept books in the media center that are appropriate for young learners and moved titles for older elementary students to our other elementary buildings.
  • This grant allows us to enhance the options for our Developmental Kindergarten and preschool students at Parkside.
• Orchestra Update: Our three orchestra teachers – Kyle Pitcher – Rockford High School, Jennette Allen – East Rockford Middle School, and Allison Holden – North Rockford Middle School – presented a report to the Board of Education on the continued developed of our orchestra program. Currently, 497 students participate in orchestra in grades 6 – 12.
• Bond Update: A report on the November 4 bond election was presented to the board. The bond request is to approve keeping our millage the same at 7 mills. Doing so would generate $230 million dollars in revenue to support a variety of projects around the district including:
  • Air conditioning the elementary buildings.
  • Adding gyms or cafeterias to the 4 elementary buildings that do not have both a gym and a cafeteria.
  • Adding electronic door locks to all classroom doors.
  • Replacing playground equipment that is aging.
  • Renovating the performing arts center.
  • Building an indoor turf facility.
  • Building new spaces for digital media (Beyond the Rock), sports marketing, and business programming.
  • Enhancing career and tech classroom space at Rockford High School.
• Additional bond information can be found here: RPS Bond Proposal 2025 - Our District - Rockford Public Schools

We value the partnership we have with our parents and community. Together we continue to make Rockford a place where all students and families can find success.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews

Superintendent, Rockford Public Schools

PS: I share happenings in our school district on Instagram and X. Follow me @docsmatthews