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ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION UNANIMOUSLY APPOINTS LISSA GEGLIO-WEIDENFELLER AS NEWEST TRUSTEE 

Rockford, MI | May 18, 2026 

The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education has unanimously appointed Lissa Geglio-Weidenfeller as its newest trustee, effective immediately. Following an evening of interviews with five outstanding community candidates, the Board voted 6-0. Geglio-Weidenfeller will serve until the November election is certified. Then the person who wins the November election will serve the remainder of the term vacated by Tricia Anderson. The Board offered sincere thanks to the 16 candidates who stepped forward in service to Rockford students, families, staff, and schools. 

Geglio-Weidenfeller brings more than two decades of educational leadership rooted entirely in Rockford Public Schools. She served as Principal of North Rockford Middle School from 2006 to 2025 and previously as Assistant Principal at Rockford High School, supporting thousands of students and staff members through budgeting, staffing, curriculum alignment, student support systems, and district-wide assessment work. She pioneered the Counseling Dog Program at North Rockford Middle School, served as the district's NWEA Coordinator, and contributed to strategic planning, school safety, professional learning, and college and career readiness initiatives. She currently serves as a University Supervisor at Ferris State University and is completing her Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Lissa to the Board," shared Jarrod Folsom, President of the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education. "What stood out to me was Lissa’s breadth and depth of knowledge and experience in K-12 public education, her longstanding commitment to the Rockford community and RPS, and her genuine interest in learning the governance role and working collaboratively with the Board and Superintendent. Her leadership aligns with the priorities of RAMS XII, and we are confident she will bring an experienced, thoughtful, and student-centered voice as we continue working together to strengthen opportunities for every Ram to learn, connect, contribute, and succeed."  

Lissa’s appointment arrives at a meaningful moment for the district as Rockford Public Schools continues implementing RAMS XII Strategic Plan. Geglio-Weidenfeller's experience in data-informed decision-making, student wellness, multi-tiered systems of support, school safety, and collaborative leadership connects directly to the plan's five pillars: Academic Excellence, Wellness and Preparedness, Social Responsibility and Community Engagement, Collaborative Culture, and Organizational Effectiveness. 

"Rockford Public Schools has always been more than a school district to me. It is a community built on shared purpose and a deep commitment to our students," shared Geglio-Weidenfeller. "I have seen firsthand the dedication of our teachers, counselors, custodians, itinerant staff, support staff, administrators, security, bus drivers, and families, and I believe our children thrive when we work together so that every student is challenged to think critically, act compassionately, and succeed boldly. I am grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role in governance, supporting the staff who serve our students every day, and helping to ensure every student feels connected, valued, and prepared for the future. I am honored to join the Board in guiding our district forward in ways that reflect both our values and our vision." 

About Rockford Public Schools 

Rockford Public Schools is a suburban district located in Rockford, Michigan, serving more than 7,700 students across 14 school buildings, including nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high school buildings. With more than 1,300 employees and a tradition of academic excellence, every school in the district has been recognized as a State of Michigan Blue Ribbon School. Student achievement consistently ranks among the top districts in Kent County. For more information, visit rockfordschools.org or contact Rockford Public Schools at 350 N. Main Street, Rockford, MI 49341. 

Press Release: 

April 23, 2026

On April 20, 2026, Board Trustee Tricia Anderson resigned from the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education. We thank Trustee Anderson for her commitment to our students and her advocacy for ensuring that our school district operates at a high level. We wish Trustee Anderson the best in future endeavors. 

When a board member resigns, the board is required to  fill the vacancy within  thirty (30) days by appointment in line with district board policy 0142.5.  The board seeks to fill the vacancy with a qualified and interested candidate who will serve through December 31, 2026.  In November, in addition to the regularly scheduled election of three board positions, an election to fill the partial term set to expire in 2028, will be held.

Today, the Rockford Public School District begins seeking applications for the current vacant position for the board of education. An individual will be appointed to fill the vacant position through December 31, 2026 and will be replaced by the individual elected to the position (based on the November 3, 2026 election results) on January 1, 2027. To be eligible to be considered an individual must be a citizen of the United States and is a qualified and registered elector and resident of the district.

Those eligible and interested in filling this seat through December 31, 2026 must do the following:

• Submit a one-page letter of interest outlining your interest and eligibility

• Submit a resume that outlines relevant experience or credentials

• Answers to each of these questions in 300 words or less:

  • What do you see as the role of a school board member? 

  • What will you do to be an effective board member?

  • What would you like to see changed in the district and how do you envision your role in that change?

Please send the required information electronically to Jodi Nester via email at jnester@rockfordschools.org.  The deadline to be considered for this vacancy is Monday, May 4th at 3:00 PM. No materials will be accepted after the deadline. All completed applications will be verified in writing upon receipt and then submitted to Board of Education Secretary, Andrea Jacobson for further action.  

The Board will review the applications and schedule interviews during the week of May 11th.  The board will meet in open session to interview applicants and appoint a new trustee. The new trustee will be seated by May 20, 2026. 

Rockford Public Schools Shares Results of Community Survey

Community Expresses Support for Investment, Calls for Adjusted Scope

Rockford, Mich. – March 9, 2026 – At the end of 2025, Rockford Public Schools requested that the Kent ISD conduct an impartial survey to better understand stakeholder perceptions and engagement following the unsuccessful 2025 bond proposal. 

To encourage broad participation and maximize responses, the district implemented a comprehensive outreach strategy. A postcard featuring a QR code linked to the survey was mailed to every residential and commercial address within the district. The survey was also promoted multiple times in the district newsletter and through repeated email and phone outreach to families and staff. 

On Tuesday, March 9, Kent ISD presented the survey findings to the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education. Nearly 3,000 stakeholders responded.

“We were happy to see the strong engagement, especially from our parents and guardians,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthews. “This level of participation demonstrates how deeply our community cares about the future of Rockford Public Schools. We are grateful for the thoughtful, constructive feedback that will help guide our next steps.”

After reviewing the presentation and survey results, there were several meaningful takeaways:

• Strong Community Engagement – The majority of respondents are parents or guardians of current students, meaning the district is hearing directly from highly invested stakeholders. The Rockford community is paying attention and cares deeply about district decisions.
• Communication Channels Are Working – The district’s communication infrastructure is effective. Respondents reported receiving information through their preferred channels. The district’s website, email, official mailings, and social media are the most common and most preferred sources.
• Clear Recognition of the Need for a Bond – The community largely understands that school facility funding requires a bond mechanism. There isn’t confusion about why bonds are necessary, just about scope and specifics of the 2025 proposal.
• Meaningful Trust in District Leadership – Approximately 37% or respondents indicated they are “Quite” or “Extremely” confident in the Board of Education and district administration to manage bond funds responsibly. Even amid concerns about the scope and cost of the bond, nearly forty percent expressed strong confidence in the district leadership’s financial stewardship. 
• Strong Support for Safety and Essential Infrastructure – There is clear alignment around what should be prioritized. The data indicates that the community is not opposed to investment in schools, but instead supports focused improvements that address critical needs.  
• Voters Want Right-Sized Proposals, Not No Proposal – Half of responses felt the bond did not meet district needs and felt the amount was too high. Open-ended comments suggest concerns were largely about scope, not opposition to investing in schools.

“The district now has a data-informed road map for continuing to engage with parents and community members,” Dr. Matthews added. “As promised, we will re-survey later this year to gauge the success of our action steps and ensure we remain aligned with community priorities.”

Rockford Public Schools will use the survey findings to guide continued engagement efforts and future planning discussions. 

For more information, please visit:

Rockford Community Bond Perception and Engagement Survey Presentation

• Rockford Public Schools Shares Results of Community Survey

Community Expresses Support for Investment, Calls for Adjusted Scope

Rockford, Mich. – March 9, 2026 – At the end of 2025, Rockford Public Schools requested that the Kent ISD conduct an impartial survey to better understand stakeholder perceptions and engagement following the unsuccessful 2025 bond proposal. 

To encourage broad participation and maximize responses, the district implemented a comprehensive outreach strategy. A postcard featuring a QR code linked to the survey was mailed to every residential and commercial address within the district. The survey was also promoted multiple times in the district newsletter and through repeated email and phone outreach to families and staff. 

On Tuesday, March 9, Kent ISD presented the survey findings to the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education. Nearly 3,000 stakeholders responded.

“We were happy to see the strong engagement, especially from our parents and guardians,” said Superintendent Dr. Matthews. “This level of participation demonstrates how deeply our community cares about the future of Rockford Public Schools. We are grateful for the thoughtful, constructive feedback that will help guide our next steps.”

After reviewing the presentation and survey results, there were several meaningful takeaways:

• Strong Community Engagement – The majority of respondents are parents or guardians of current students, meaning the district is hearing directly from highly invested stakeholders. The Rockford community is paying attention and cares deeply about district decisions.
• Communication Channels Are Working – The district’s communication infrastructure is effective. Respondents reported receiving information through their preferred channels. The district’s website, email, official mailings, and social media are the most common and most preferred sources.
• Clear Recognition of the Need for a Bond – The community largely understands that school facility funding requires a bond mechanism. There isn’t confusion about why bonds are necessary, just about scope and specifics of the 2025 proposal.
• Meaningful Trust in District Leadership – Approximately 37% or respondents indicated they are “Quite” or “Extremely” confident in the Board of Education and district administration to manage bond funds responsibly. Even amid concerns about the scope and cost of the bond, nearly forty percent expressed strong confidence in the district leadership’s financial stewardship. 
• Strong Support for Safety and Essential Infrastructure – There is clear alignment around what should be prioritized. The data indicates that the community is not opposed to investment in schools, but instead supports focused improvements that address critical needs.  
• Voters Want Right-Sized Proposals, Not No Proposal – Half of responses felt the bond did not meet district needs and felt the amount was too high. Open-ended comments suggest concerns were largely about scope, not opposition to investing in schools.

“The district now has a data-informed road map for continuing to engage with parents and community members,” Dr. Matthews added. “As promised, we will re-survey later this year to gauge the success of our action steps and ensure we remain aligned with community priorities.”

Rockford Public Schools will use the survey findings to guide continued engagement efforts and future planning discussions. 

For more information, please visit:

Rockford Community Bond Perception and Engagement Survey Presentation

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