Rockford board appoints Lisa Widenfeller to fill school board vacancy

The Rockford Board of Education on Thursday evening appointed Lisa Widenfeller to fill a vacancy on the school board following a series of candidate interviews and a consensus-driven ranking process.

Trustees interviewed five finalists drawn from a field of 16 applicants and used a candidate-rating pyramid to compare strengths. After discussion of each finalist’s qualifications, a trustee moved to appoint Widenfeller; Christy seconded the motion and trustees approved it by a 6-0 vote.

Widenfeller, who told the panel she has more than 20 years of experience in Rockford schools as an assistant principal, principal, district leader and assessment coordinator and now serves as a university supervisor, said she would emphasize collaboration, transparency and student-centered decision-making if appointed. "I would approach this role with professionalism, integrity, collaboration, and the commitment to student-centered decision-making," she said in her closing remarks.

Board members repeatedly cited Widenfeller’s depth of K–12 administrative experience and her understanding of the difference between governance and administration. During deliberations trustees said those attributes — together with a demonstrated willingness to engage on difficult local questions such as the Parkside decision — set Widenfeller apart from other finalists.

The interviews included discussion of district priorities raised by candidates: improving transitions from K–12 to postsecondary, targeted professional development for teachers, counselor-student ratios and clearer community communication around millage and bond proposals. Jennifer Kempa, one finalist, told trustees the district’s guidance-counselor ratio is currently “like 400 to one or 300 to 1,” and called for curriculum alignment and professional learning to prepare students for postsecondary options. Other candidates offered expertise in facilities planning, fundraising and community outreach.

Before the interviews began district staff reviewed the materials trustees would use, reminding the panel that candidate packets and any notes would be retained under Michigan’s records-retention requirements and that the MASB guidance on filling vacancies informed the process. The first finalist participated by Zoom; four others interviewed in person.

A public commenter, Dwayne Greger, urged trustees to recuse themselves from decisions if they had family, business or friendship relationships with any applicants. Trustees did not take any recusal actions during the meeting.

With the appointment approved, the board said it expects to welcome the new trustee in June and thanked all applicants and staff for their work on the recruitment process.

The motion to appoint passed by voice/hand vote; trustees recorded six votes in favor and no opposition. No further formal actions were taken on other agenda items before the meeting wrapped up.