RPS Board Candidates 2026
Meet the Board Candidates!
Related News Articles
Rockford Public Schools learned today that the plaintiffs in the Mead v. Rockford Public Schools case have decided to voluntarily dismiss their lawsuit. This was not a settlement. The District did not pay the plaintiffs any money or agree to any other terms in order for them to withdraw their claims. And despite well-publicized allegations to the contrary, Rockford staff never lied to the parents or changed any records for the purpose of hiding anything from them. We are confident that the evidence would have proven this without a doubt had the case proceeded. We recognize the critical role that parents play in their children’s lives, value our partnerships with families, and remain committed to working closely with our students and their families to foster an educational environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Parkside Early Childhood Center classrooms are full as more Rockford families seek early learning
opportunities.
ROCKFORD, Mich. — Rockford Public Schools continues to deliver on its commitment to expanding early
childhood opportunities for families. As demand for early learning programs grows, the district has
expanded Developmental Kindergarten, filled all eight full-day preschool classrooms at Parkside Early
Childhood Center and continues to see strong interest from families seeking high-quality early childhood
education.
“We had such a positive experience with our oldest son at Parkside, so we knew we wanted that same
experience for our younger children,” said RPS parent Taylor Porrett. “Our second child is at Parkside
now, and we already plan to send our third when the time comes. It has been a wonderful place for our
kids to learn, grow and become excited about school.”
Full-day preschool enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds has increased from 76 students in 2024-25 to 134
students in 2025-26 and 141 students this school year—an increase of more than 85% in two years. All
eight full-day preschool classrooms at Parkside are currently full, with additional families remaining on a
waitlist.
Developmental Kindergarten at Parkside has also grown. RPS expanded the program from two
classrooms serving 33 students last year to three classrooms serving 56 students this year, an increase of
nearly 70%.
The growth in Developmental Kindergarten extends district-wide. Enrollment increased from 178
students in September 2025 to 216 students this fall, an increase of more than 21%.
Today, Parkside Early Childhood Center serves 256 students through a range of early childhood
programs and services, including full-day preschool, Developmental Kindergarten and Early Childhood
Special Education.
Beyond Parkside, RPS has also expanded its role in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Michigan’s
state-funded preschool program for eligible 4-year-olds. This school year, RPS oversees two GSRP
classrooms serving 34 students. RPS employs the classroom staff and implements the HighScope
curriculum used across district early childhood programs, creating greater consistency and connection
across early learning experiences.
Parkside also provides programs and services for children ages 3 through 5 who qualify for special
education. These include two Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classrooms, as well as the
Supported Independent Program (SIP) and Supported Speech Group (SSG). Together, these programs
provide specialized instruction and support based on individual student needs.
“We made a commitment to expand early childhood opportunities for families in Rockford, and it is
encouraging to see families embracing those opportunities,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews.
“These early years are an important part of a child’s development, and we want to provide high-quality
learning experiences that help prepare children for continued success.”
At Parkside, the focus extends beyond preparing children academically for kindergarten. Through
learning, play and relationships, students are developing confidence, independence and social-
emotional skills that will support them as they continue through school.
“At Parkside, we want every child to feel known, supported and excited to learn,” said Parkside Early
Childhood Center Principal/Director Melissa Cochrill. “Our staff is intentional about creating high-quality
learning experiences that help children build confidence, develop relationships and grow socially,
emotionally and academically. We’re laying the foundation for them to continue learning and
succeeding as they move through Rockford Public Schools.”
That work supports the district’s RAMS XII strategic plan and its focus on providing high-quality learning
opportunities, supporting the whole child and preparing students for future success.
With full classrooms, growing enrollment and families continuing to seek early childhood opportunities,
RPS will continue evaluating community needs and ways to provide young learners with a strong start.
More information about early childhood programs and services at Rockford Public Schools is available at:
There is a correction for our Fall Rampage.
The Rampage featured a letter from the superintendent that included an error on page 2.
If approved, the non-homestead operating millage would generate $9.5 million annually or approximately $1,200 per student.
To read our current Rampage in full just click the button below:
Complete 2026–2027 Student Registration in PowerSchool
We are excited to welcome our students back for the upcoming school year! As shared last week, our district has transitioned to PowerSchool, our new student management system.To ensure your student is ready for the first day, all parents and guardians must complete a critical 2-step registration process:
Thank you to the families who have already completed both steps!
- Create a Parent Portal Account
- Complete the Returning Student Form (updates student information for the 2026–2027 school year)
Important Details:
Need Help?
- Bus Transportation: The Returning Student Form includes your Transportation Registration. If you plan for your student(s) to ride the bus, please complete this form by Friday, August 15, so routes can be finalized.
- Missing Login Info? If you did not receive your student’s unique Access ID and Access Password, please contact your student's school’s main office. You will need these details to create your Parent Portal Account.
- Multiple Students: Once your Parent Portal Account is created, please be sure to complete the verification form for each of your returning students.
- New Enrollees: Students new to the district, including DK and K students, will receive Access IDs and passwords, along with the Returning Student Form, midweek. The Returning Student Form includes transportation registration.
Email Support:
For assistance with technical issues that do not relate to Access IDs and Access Passwords, email us at: powerschoolsupport@rockfordschools.org
Online Resources:
For ongoing updates and guides, please visit our PowerSchool Support Webpage:
PowerSchool: Everything You Need To Know
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we onboard our school community into this new system!
Rockford Public Schools Recognized Nationally for Excellence in Financial Transparency
District earns one of country’s highest honors in financial reporting, underscoring continued confidence in its management of public resources.
Rockford, MI — Rockford Public Schools has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) for its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) by ASBO International, a global organization representing school business officials.
The COE is one of the highest honors in school financial reporting, recognizing districts that demonstrate exceptional transparency, accuracy, and accountability in how they present financial information to their community.
“This recognition reflects our district’s ongoing commitment to responsible financial stewardship for our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews. “We take seriously our responsibility to ensure taxpayers understand how their dollars are managed and invested in student success.”
To receive the COE award, Rockford Public Schools submitted its ACFR for a rigorous review by independent experts and was evaluated against national standards for clarity, completeness, and adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Districts that earn this recognition go beyond basic reporting requirements to provide stakeholders with accessible, comprehensive financial information.
Rockford Public Schools’ continued participation in the COE program highlights a sustained commitment to high-quality financial practices and continuous improvement. This recognition further reinforces the district’s strong financial position, reflected in its recent “A” bond rating from S&P Global Ratings, which underscores disciplined financial management and long-term planning.
“Together, recognitions like the COE award and our ‘A’ from S&P demonstrate our commitment to transparency, accountability, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Board of Education President Jarrod Folsom. “Our community can be confident that we are managing resources responsibly while continuing to invest in high-quality educational opportunities for students.”
The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report includes detailed information on district revenues, expenditures, assets, and long-term financial planning, helping community members, board members, and stakeholders better understand how resources are allocated to support students and schools.
Rockford Public Schools encourages community members to review its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which is available on the district’s website.
Rockford Public Schools serves more than 7,600 students across 14 schools and is recognized as a leader in academic achievement and innovation, including receiving recent recognition as a Blue Ribbon District of Excellence and an Advanced Placement Achievement District.
