12/18/25 Update

Hello Rockford, 

Highlights from the December 8^th Board of Education meeting:

• Approved a video monitoring system for buses purchased recently.
  • Each of our buses has a video monitoring system
• Approved replacement of the Rockford High School bleachers.
  • Bleachers were original to the high school
• Approved replacing the Rockford High School athletic wing elevator.
  • Elevator was original to the building
• Approved replacing the Rockford High School boiler.
  • Boiler was original to the building

All of these improvements were with funds from the 2019 bond.

The board also had a literacy presentation that highlighted our performance on both the M-STEP and the NWEA. Our NWEA fall performance shows that every grade level from 1^st through 8^th is close to or above the 90^th percentile in reading. This is a nationwide test, so the results show that our students perform at or above 90% of the students who take the assessment throughout the nation.

The performance of our students is a credit to our staff and to our families. Together we are providing a supportive and challenging learning environment that helps them learn the skills that helps our students learn the skills and knowledge they need to be successful.

We also have a robust plan in place to help all students. Our tiered system of support provides classroom, small group, and individual support for students so that all can be successful.

This time of year makes me think through and think about the many blessings that I have. One of the blessings is to be in a community like Rockford and to be part of a dynamic and supportive school district. Thank you for all that you do to help create and sustain our district.

My wish for you is that you have a wonderful Holiday season!

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews, Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

Thursday night, November 20th, is a night that a group of Rockford High School girls won’t soon forget.

Why? Because their hearts were broken.

Our Rockford High School girls’ volleyball team had achieved a lot this year. Ranked number one. One loss on the season. Winners in every way.

But on this particular Thursday, in the state Division One semi-final, they lost. Their second match loss of the year.

These students will never forget that game. Years from now they will look back and wonder - minds filled with "what-ifs" and "if we had just . . .”

But, from where I sit, I believe that our students will also not forget that game because they will recognize - not today, not tomorrow, maybe not for a while - that success is difficult to achieve. This game came at the end of a long season. They had worked hard. They had been at it since the middle of August. They had played through injury and exhaustion and frustration. They had found joy in being together and supporting one another. 

Now as the seasons had changed and the days had become shorter, and as the final goal was within sight, they lost. Through the season they had managed to find ways to win, reaching within one game of playing for a championship.

It’s a lesson we all learn. But it is a hard lesson.

Our boys’ water polo team, football, boys’ soccer, and our marching band all learned similar life lessons this fall.

I am proud of our girls’ volleyball team, just as I am proud of every Rockford team. We support athletics and extracurriculars and provide opportunities because it helps our students learn lessons. Lessons in teamwork and hard work and resilience and grit.

And lessons in how to move on once your heart is broken.

Sometime in the next couple of weeks you will receive a survey. It is a bond follow up survey. I would appreciate if you would complete it and give us your thoughts on how we might begin to move forward. It will ask about priorities, and it will help us identify what might be next for us.

Our winter collage concert is coming – December 10 and 11. Tickets are free, but you must have a ticket to attend. You can find tickets starting November 26 at rocktix.org.

I hope that you have a great Thanksgiving. When we return it will be December!

Steve
Dr. Steve Matthews
Superintendent
Rockford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

Tuesday, November 11th is STEAM Night for students and their families in grades DK – 5^th. The event is being held at East Rockford Middle School from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. There will be lots of fun activities that will highlight how we are working with our students to develop problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.

As you are aware, the bond proposal did not pass. The proposal that was placed on the ballot was the result of over two years of work. It started with our strategic plan – RAMS XII. A facilities audit was completed. Then a community committee reviewed options, and a plan was presented to the Board of Education. The Board approved the ballot measure, and the proposal was put on the ballot.

The election result was not what I had hoped.

What it showed was that I need to connect with our community, listen, and identify options for moving forward. We will take time to do that. There will be no bond proposal on the ballot in 2026. It will take time to identify a new plan.  

The Board of Education agenda and information for the meeting on November 10^th is available on our district website. Highlights include:

• Approving PowerSchool for our new student information system
• Approving policy changes
• Recognizing the retirement of our counseling dog, Chillie, from North Rockford Middle School

This week marks the end of the first trimester of our school year. It has been a wonderful school year so far. Thank you for all that you have done to help your children this year. Working together we have continued to create positive and effective learning environments and create good places for students to learn and grow.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews

Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools

Good afternoon,

Our Rockford High School Marching Band goes to Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday to compete in the Michigan Competing Bands Association state championship. They have had a wonderful season. It has not been without its challenges, but they have risen to the occasion. We wish them well on Saturday.

Clue is the high school play this fall. It will take place on November 7, 8, and 9. It has two full casts and there will be four shows starting Friday, November 7. Tickets are available at Ludus - ROCKTIX. Be sure to come see our incredible student performers supported by the student crew and technicians.

Tuesday, November 4, is election day here in Rockford. There are two important ballot proposals.

First, there is a ballot proposal to renew our millage rate at 7 mills. If approved this would generate revenue to support a variety of projects in the district:

• Air conditioning for all remaining buildings
  • 6 of our 8 elementary buildings and the Parkside Early Childhood Center do not have air conditioning
• Install electronic door locks on all interior classroom doors
• Add a gym and/or cafeteria at the four elementary buildings that do not have separate gyms and cafeterias
• Add outdoor bathrooms, improve bleachers, and improve exit/entry space at North Rockford Middle School and East Rockford Middle School outdoor athletic complexes
• Replace playground equipment
• Replace aging buses
• Renovate the Rockford High School Performing Arts Center
• Construct the Ram Center, an indoor turf facility with new Beyond the Rock studio, graphic design classroom, retail store run by our students, and a physical therapy or certified nurse assistant space for career education
• Create additional career and technical education classrooms at Rockford High School
• Enhance student collaboration spaces throughout the district
• Renovate and improve early childhood spaces
• Update technology

The bond millage supports our facilities, technology, and buses. The funds generated from this millage cannot support teachers or salaries of any employees in the district.

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

The second proposal is for the enhancement millage from the Kent Intermediate School District. The is also a millage renewal. This millage supports our general fund which does support our people – teachers, custodians, secretaries, administrators, and other staff.

Please be sure to vote on November 4. If you have an absentee ballot, please be sure to turn it in by Tuesday, November 4.

We have had a great start to the school year. Thank you for the support that you provide our students and staff. Together we continue to build a great district for our students and our community.

Steve

Dr. Steve Matthews

Superintendent

Rockford Public Schools