Rockford Community Bond Perception and Engagement Survey
- 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.
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