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Community groups urge Rockford board to center equity, diversity in superintendent search
Summary
Eliminate Racism 815 and other community speakers asked the board to prioritize candidates with records of hiring and retaining educators of color and building partnerships; board members outlined search process steps and outreach.
Community members told the Rockford Public Schools board they want the next superintendent to prioritize racial equity, hire and retain educators of color, and partner transparently with families as the district begins a public search.
"We implore you to prioritize a candidate who is not just a manager, but a proven champion of equity and inclusion," said Nina Gianangeli, speaking on behalf of Eliminate Racism 815's education committee. Gianangeli told the board she wants administrators and staff to mirror student demographics and asked how the search will center equity.
Gianangeli asked for a clear strategy and for the board to evaluate candidates on experience hiring and retaining educators of color and on culturally responsive leadership that affirms student identities.
Board member Whitney Bennett, during later board comments, outlined public steps the district has posted: a superintendent-search section on the district website that includes application links, listening-session dates, and a survey. Bennett said the search firm BWP would conduct many stakeholder events over two days and encouraged broad community participation.
Community organizer John Tech Brantley also linked the search to the district's history with ethnic-studies demands and minority representation, asking the board for accountability and follow-through on commitments made decades earlier.
Why this matters: The superintendent sets district priorities, hiring practices, and community partnerships; community requests to weigh equity explicitly will shape criteria used during candidate evaluation.
What the record shows: The transcript contains public requests to center equity and board statements describing posted search materials and outreach; it does not record the board making formal, binding changes to the search rubric at this meeting.
