[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6093206,"mediaKeyId","2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82","parentId",2848374,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves several district items including furniture, tech upgrade and calendar","audioSeconds",232,"startMs",2865000,"endMs",3097000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82&start=2865&end=3097","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82/thumbnail_2865000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093206/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-several-district-items-including-furniture-tech-upgrade-and-calendar","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093206-fa7b9cacd43e69479449d9e376cea59d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443676&Signature=N-wuW8UZmuU7ZMXZUyMjopwYbLe8W4X0YN3znoVlvKu-JjQt6hem7GW5PiMxcYUr-RM9RrXSMxGwfxZ-lEQBViaF1rzuRjjvPn6MpBJUjHLCGbhMdvomeK7LxOIelpV3Yn78fKwUOjAWE5LNZbKgBLt4f1rifi0eP9DWi2Gad6-bUL46guRAiUQCvKoyfGxtui9es5rkL0yKaU7uaxKebOik41gJH59BSFMzxYqW8ykI01u7MaZoRKI9BVnKbZWyI72ftR5CM7unKX-8WBFPtbrCZ6hLvAqjFNUYjXVSw6O0TJIs~A0R065Ag3G0yK1b9ltsiPxz-NOhTXCTq8whTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockford Public Schools","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education took multiple administrative and procurement votes during its March 19 meeting. Most actions passed by unanimous voice vote; the Parkside/Valley View boundary and repurpose action passed 5‑2 (see separate article). Key votes are listed below with motions, funding notes and outcomes as recorded in the meeting.

- Consent agenda (approved unanimously): included minutes, presentation of bills in the amount of $10,400,000, a boys varsity baseball donation of $1,000, spring coaches and retirements. Motion to approve consent agenda was moved and seconded; the board approved by voice vote.

- Middle‑school furniture procurement (approved unanimously): the board approved a purchase to complete middle‑school classroom and elective furniture. The bid package included a core classroom order (vendor: Custer, $342,803.36) and elective classroom furniture ($594,204.52) for a total of $937,007.88. District staff said the funds come from the 2019 bond and that furniture installation will proceed on a schedule to have classrooms ready for the start of school.

- District workstation upgrade (approved unanimously): the board approved a bid package to upgrade student and staff devices at secondary schools and staff devices. The recommended vendor was CDWG at $2,062,861.20; the administration said the cost will be paid from the proceeds of the 2019 bond. Staff described the procurement as part of the five‑year replacement cycle and included white‑glove deployment and warranty services.

- Draft 2025‑26 calendar (approved unanimously): trustees approved a draft calendar that aligns with the Kent ISD five‑year calendar. The district said December holiday and spring break dates are predetermined by Kent ISD, and the draft sets the first student day tentatively for Aug. 25 with a tentative last day of June 5, subject to state‑required makeup days.

- Outdoor learning expansion (approved unanimously): the board approved adding a fourth‑grade classroom based at Edgerton Trails as a district outdoor‑learning magnet, with expansion planned for a second year.

- River Valley diploma option (approved unanimously): the board approved a 19.5‑credit Michigan Merit diploma option for River Valley Academy and adult education to provide an alternative pathway for students who are credit‑deficient.

- Parkside/Valley View repurpose (approved 5‑2): the board combined Parkside and Valley View attendance areas and approved repurposing Parkside Elementary as an early‑childhood center. See the lead article for details; vote recorded as Yes — Anthony Jacobson, Jake Himmelsbach, Kelly Freerich, Jared Olsen, Christie Ramsey; No — Holmes, Tricia Anderson.

Administration said procurement approvals will be paid from the 2019 bond proceeds where noted and that staff will provide updates on implementation and schedules. The board directed administration to communicate plans and timelines to affected families in the coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockford Public Schools Board Meeting 3/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 19 meeting the Rockford Public Schools Board approved consent agenda items, two major procurement packages for school furniture and district workstations, a draft 2025‑26 calendar, and the other actions summarized here. Most items passed unanimously; the Parkside repurpose vote was 5‑2.","taxTitle","Rockford Public Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38516,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093211,"Board approves Michigan Merit diploma option for River Valley Academy to help credit‑deficient students graduate",627,2001000,2628000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82&start=2001&end=2628","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82/thumbnail_2001000.jpg","/articles/6093211/Michigan/Board-approves-Michigan-Merit-diploma-option-for-River-Valley-Academy-to-help-creditdeficient-students-graduate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093211-dbf8285dbf7675934562e1a366a55637/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443676&Signature=SChuRLp7cSLUp3qt49i8zlQDuBX0hOVleeZdvTAxxI-WzXISxuAOSvX7lvcf0PFgpVPlJtTr4U-QUUromc2bMK-6MkXH2N~8dgyGjFriGXRl~zK8ba-hYNQh8ATnd8YZsOizv4ILzHzmXMSoNH7ejTwueI28L6iWui4sU2CaODNvn5hpKeqKGOFjL7Sy45y01Ou2f3EbBsghyYsnfHVMx5Oi2WwRFdr~90yCEwtBuaeNzmwfjpMhrVQygJ8EIVDWBJGn9NEXYuGou3GNO423yAM0hyQn5hXwb-SRJTiomP9zljj7s2IODLkL2jISuvZ~5COMkH5RVIGbKWvgyb1RIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockford Public Schools Board unanimously approved a new diploma option on March 19 that allows River Valley Academy and the district’s adult‑education program to offer a Michigan Merit curriculum variant totaling 19.5 credits, rather than the district’s standard 27.5‑credit Rockford High School diploma.

Administration and River Valley staff framed the option as voluntary: students at River Valley who qualify or who choose the pathway may opt for the 19.5‑credit Michigan Merit diploma, which includes the state minimum (18 credits) plus a 0.5‑credit college‑and‑career readiness requirement created with grant support, district leaders said. River Valley students would still have the option to pursue the full Rockford High School diploma if they prefer.

Jenny Thompson, director of River Valley Academy, told the board River Valley serves students who frequently arrive credit deficient and sometimes need an alternative pathway to graduation. She said River Valley currently has 34 seniors; 21 of those (62 percent) need at least a trimester’s worth of electives to meet Rockford’s full diploma requirements, and 16 seniors have 10 or more credits to earn, the presentation said. The new diploma option is intended to provide an on‑ramp to a recognized high‑school diploma for students who might otherwise be unlikely to finish under the higher elective requirement.

The board was shown a county comparison showing other districts’ practice: most Kent County districts with alternative high‑school programs require 18 credits (Michigan Merit), while a small number require 19, 20 or the district’s 19.5 proposal. Proponents said offering the option could reduce dropout risk while preserving access to Rockford’s more comprehensive diploma for students who want it.

Trustees asked about how the option would affect coursework, transfers back to comprehensive high school and the program’s alignment with the district’s standards. Thompson and district staff said the option is intended to preserve rigorous, standards‑based work while allowing a different elective mix and a focused college‑and‑career readiness unit. Board members voted unanimously to approve the recommendation; administration said students who select the pathway would still be invited to participate in commencement with classmates and that implementation would begin immediately for interested students.

The motion was moved by Christie Ramsey and seconded by Andrea (last name not specified in the record). The board approved the change and asked administration to report implementation details and numbers back to the board.","The Rockford Public Schools Board approved a 19.5‑credit Michigan Merit diploma option for River Valley Academy and adult education, intended to offer an alternative pathway for students who are significantly credit‑deficient and at risk of dropping out.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093216,"Board approves expansion of outdoor learning at Edgerton Trails, adds fourth‑grade classroom",830,923000,1753000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82&start=923&end=1753","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82/thumbnail_923000.jpg","/articles/6093216/Michigan/Board-approves-expansion-of-outdoor-learning-at-Edgerton-Trails-adds-fourthgrade-classroom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093216-e48a38fcfe7052579b41f029c8894b60/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443676&Signature=NKMmD~b3RMzzwOgmQ6B1RfCJZlPppb94zlMRFvmEd72Uzqkkk-rxBr4uHRkLRaOxDpLcnfMfc~kM7P9meUlfE1spgkoDTP75zC5Yrc0Nw3DqRERPkfefsdyGJ37qsj0QEhQlxarTrNwh3V0jpYxTmCn7qxuKWY2zFhV-p-yawgTj3kymyzW9alfSpemSpXMFabNdfhCeN53WJT9szlpOKcunGHpR1ogW-gW-x7VY16nq46AlIqEjC8gJoBITLSqtXyQVr4uhydU6pGvyryXrj6-vVLU~P7Me-lje1Q27WimxWSqaocd~rqj9hJkojdIlqObLdrQd5FlYKfP9i~QRvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved an expansion of the district’s outdoor learning program on March 19, including a classroom‑based fourth‑grade magnet at Edgerton Trails beginning in the coming school year.

District staff described Edgerton Trails as a 27‑acre site with ponds, a pavilion and boardwalk used for nature study and hands‑on curriculum work. Tara Deserowitz, the district’s outdoor‑learning teacher, has led on‑site lessons and half‑day programs for second graders and push‑in lessons at elementary schools; administrators said the program aligns outdoor experiences with the district’s CKLA literacy curriculum.

Under the approved proposal the first year (2025‑26) would add one fourth‑grade classroom based at Edgerton Trails working with Deserowitz and a classroom teacher; the second year the program would expand to include another grade so students could continue into fifth grade. Presenters said students in the classroom would spend roughly half their day outside while meeting the same grade‑level content standards as other fourth graders.

Administrators described a student profile for the magnet — inquisitive, comfortable working outdoors and with good attendance and behavior — and said the district would hire from current staff for the new teacher role. Enrollment would be open to all fourth‑grade students in the district with an application and interview process; if interest exceeded capacity, the district said it would use a lottery for selection.

Tara Deserowitz told the board, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment,” a brief motto she uses with students to emphasize dressing for outdoor learning. District leaders showed examples of student work, site features and curricular connections that have been developed during this year’s pilot programming.

Board members praised the work on the program and approved the motion to implement the pilot classroom, noting positive committee review earlier in the year and describing the program as aligned with the district’s academic goals and “innovative programming” pillar.

The motion was moved by Jake Himmelsbach and seconded by Kelly Freerich; the board recorded a unanimous vote in favor. District staff said they will announce application details to elementary families and plan informational meetings and timelines for naming the first cohort in May.","Rockford Public Schools approved a district‑wide expansion of outdoor learning and a new fourth‑grade classroom based at Edgerton Trails, building on a year of on‑site programming and a district outdoor‑learning teacher role.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093221,"Rockford board votes 5-2 to merge Parkside with Valley View, repurpose Parkside as early‑childhood center",7907,3112000,11019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82&start=3112&end=11019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2848374-5d10e2f81cdd09870ada7f434d60ee82/thumbnail_3112000.jpg","/articles/6093221/Michigan/Rockford-board-votes-5-2-to-merge-Parkside-with-Valley-View-repurpose-Parkside-as-earlychildhood-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093221-1d952a2a45dd3a23df0d633945d4f8ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443676&Signature=CCquKZzDySYelczc32WZZBh0K8l7Ct3UZNTQ9FtU3yT0HjE795hZanLUX651fU4LJMJOksx7j00IFzeOlIX~FFOzDyL9AByl2zrcME6Aovnvo3wqeuoy4sVO0cZ8WDSHbrBf5jttfsDqE8ZiLx3jJzKWM1RMGmtyEe033U2WWKlDXQdOt7ViJk219tkWE6e284p4zdFUtO1VBgjWxfNfHA7qXErSr9lV34ZEeiVqJYBhG8FsdqHIxXcjnqCmkQgatkn7PsqBZaku0XU5IrLzBGNgaue-~f3UoYaTCgR99ReSHdR6oweMNQgziH5fFFDqxdQ9fJEbJrKK3S9j-7jigQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education voted 5‑2 on March 19 to merge the Parkside and Valley View attendance areas and repurpose Parkside Elementary as an early‑childhood center, moving Parkside elementary students to Valley View and relocating some programs between buildings.

The decision follows a district recommendation put forward by Dr. Matthews and his executive team as a response to Parkside’s low enrollment and a districtwide need for expanded preschool and childcare capacity. Proponents said repurposing Parkside would allow the district to offer more preschool slots, consolidate early‑childhood special education (ECSE) services at one site and give elementary teachers stronger grade‑level colleague teams for professional planning.

Dr. Matthews, superintendent, told the board the recommendation aims to “provide equitable experience for all Rockford elementary students” and to strengthen teacher collaboration and student supports across the district. The recommendation would move Parkside students to Valley View, relocate ECSE from Meadowridge to Parkside and move the ASD (autism spectrum disorder) program from Parkside to Meadowridge, according to the presentation given to the board.

District presenters told the board Parkside’s enrollment this year was 79 students and projected single‑section grade levels for next year that, they said, would limit teacher collaboration and the district’s tiered supports. Administration presented financial projections showing preschool and childcare revenue of about $1,390,000 and estimated related expenses at about $1,310,000; the district said the capital work needed to adapt Parkside for early learning could be accommodated within existing budgets.

Hundreds of residents attended and dozens spoke during the public‑comment period. Opponents warned the decision was rushed, criticized the district’s process and said Parkside’s small‑school environment provides academic and social supports for vulnerable students. Several parents and community members gave detailed testimony describing how Parkside’s environment had benefited students with disabilities or behavioral needs. Organizer Robbie Augustine and other speakers urged the board to pause and pursue broader community engagement, saying an earlier redistricting step had created Parkside’s current enrollment profile.

Supporters of the proposal, including district leaders, argued the change would increase preschool capacity, help retain families in the district and improve instructional collaboration at the elementary level. Board members who voted in favor cited the district’s strategic aims to guarantee a “viable and guaranteed” curriculum and to preserve equitable services across buildings.

The roll call vote was: Holmes — no; Anthony Jacobson — yes; Jake Himmelsbach — yes; Kelly Freerich — yes; Jared Olsen — yes; Christie Ramsey — yes; Tricia Anderson — no. The board chair closed the meeting by telling Parkside families the administration would work with families and staff on transition planning and supports.

Next steps identified by administration included communicating to families, establishing application and lottery procedures where relevant, and working with principals on staffing and student transitions. District staff said they would schedule transition activities this spring and summer to help students and families become familiar with Valley View and to preserve program continuity for ECSE and other specialized services.

The decision drew repeated questions about process and transparency during the public debate and the board discussion. Several speakers and community members said they would continue to press for more data and clearer public engagement on future facility or boundary decisions.

Votes and formal actions related to this decision were recorded in the board’s minutes and carried out by the board; the administration said it will publish implementation timelines and outreach plans to affected families in coming weeks.","After weeks of public comment and hours of discussion, the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education approved a plan to combine Parkside and Valley View attendance areas and convert Parkside Elementary into an early‑childhood center. The 5‑2 vote followed extensive public testimony and debate about process, enrollment and student supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves several district items including furniture, tech upgrade and calendar

Board approves Michigan Merit diploma option for River Valley Academy to help credit‑deficient students graduate

Board approves expansion of outdoor learning at Edgerton Trails, adds fourth‑grade classroom

Rockford board votes 5-2 to merge Parkside with Valley View, repurpose Parkside as early‑childhood center