Where the Candidates Stand: School Board Candidates on the November Millage

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

I will vote yes. I fully support this renewal. This is not a tax on your home. By law, your primary residence is exempt. It applies to businesses, commercial and industrial property, rental property, and second homes. It is not a new tax. It has been part of Michigan's school funding system since Proposal A passed in 1994, and Rockford's current authorization expires with the 2026 tax levy. Eighteen mills is the maximum. The proposal is not to exceed 18 mills, which is what Rockford levies today based on voter approval. The Headlee provision does not raise that ceiling. It allows the district to keep levying up to 18 mills if rollbacks would otherwise reduce it. Michigan requires districts to collect this millage to receive their full foundation allowance. If we do not, the state does not make up the difference. The renewal generates about $9.5 million a year for salaries, classroom materials, and student programs. It keeps what our students already have.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

The district would lose about $9.5 million a year, roughly $1,200 per student and more than 8% of our operating budget. The state does not make up the difference, and the loss would repeat every year until voters reauthorized it. It helps to understand where the money goes. The large majority of an operating budget is people. A reduction of $9.5 million cannot come out of supplies, efficiencies, or administrative trimming. It would reach staffing levels, class sizes, and the programs and services students use every day. I am not going to speculate on a specific list of reductions. Those decisions do not belong to any one trustee. The administration would bring recommendations to the Board, and the Board would consider them in open meetings with community input. What I can say is that there would be no good options. Anyone with questions can read the district's information at rockfordschools.org or attend a community information session this fall.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

I plan to vote YES. Michigan's school funding system includes local non-homestead operating revenue as an expected part of each district's per-pupil foundation allowance. The State calculates its contribution assuming districts collect the full 18 mills. If that revenue is not collected, the State does not replace it. This proposal would replace Rockford's expiring operating millages and preserve the district's ability to collect the revenue anticipated under Michigan's funding formula. It does not apply to principal residences. Although the ballot authorizes 21 mills, no more than 18 mills may be levied in any year. The additional authority is intended to restore reductions caused by future Headlee rollbacks. As a retired principal and current Board trustee, I understand how important stable operating revenue is to the educational experience we provide. I support this proposal because it helps maintain the resources necessary to educate and support our students, retain dedicated staff, and sustain the programs and services our community values. I believe we can support this essential funding while continuing to expect transparency, responsible stewardship, and thoughtful financial decisions.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

If the proposal does not pass, I foresee significant financial and educational consequences for Rockford Public Schools. The district projects a loss of approximately $9.5 million annually, or about $1,200 per student, representing more than 8% of its operating budget. The State would not replace this revenue. Having served as a principal for nearly two decades, I know that school budgets are ultimately about people and the opportunities we provide students. A loss of this magnitude would likely affect staffing and could result in larger class sizes, reduced student programs and services, fewer instructional resources, and diminished support for students and staff. It could also affect technology, school safety initiatives, and other essential daily operations. I would not want to identify specific positions or programs before the district has completed a careful budget review. Any reductions should be considered through a transparent process that prioritizes students and minimizes disruption to their education. My concern is that losing this revenue would force difficult decisions that could affect the quality and breadth of educational opportunities available to ALL Rockford students. Maintaining strong schools requires both responsible financial stewardship and the resources necessary to meet students' needs.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

Yes, I support passing the operating millage. If it fails, Rockford loses major STATE operating revenue when the current authority expires. That means significant pressure on staffing, programs, supplies, and maintenance. I do not want that result. That is why I support passage. If you followed my objections in July, they were about the manner in which this ballot proposal is being presented to the voter — procedural, not substantive. The deeper failure is in Lansing. The state controls the School Aid Fund, then leaves local districts to run the renewal and explain why basic operations keep returning to the local ballot. Voters should not have to re-fight teacher pay and classroom fundamentals because state politicians built a bad funding handoff and walked away from it. I already raised this with primary candidates this summer, and I will take the same case to our state representatives and senators. Districts should not be left alone to carry both the ballot fight and the civic education burden for a structure the state created. I will not try to send Lansing a message by putting teacher pay and basic operations at risk. Fiscal discipline should start with spending decisions, not intentional revenue cuts.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

The board will discuss and debate putting another proposal on a future ballot. So the impact is twofold: the operating hole opens when the current authority runs out, and the community gets another campaign cycle next spring before that operating hole opens. As someone who is intent on fiscal responsibility, going back to the ballot box and spending thousands more promoting the operating millage is not a course of action I desire. That is why I support passage.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

This ought not be a controversial issue at all, because the operating millage is a state-mandated component of the basic model currently in place for funding schools. The fact that it has become a matter of scrutiny is a symptom of a greater problem — namely, that three terms of broken governance and questionable choices by the sitting board have eroded the trust of the parents and voters of the district. In particular, their present choice to combine the override and non-homestead millage into a single ballot question, a break from both the past practice in Rockford and the expressed will of local residents, has drawn negative attention from voters who otherwise would have defaulted to support, and thus placed the entire proposal at risk. While I do not disclose my personal votes in any election as a matter of principle, I will state that it is essential for the millage to pass in order for the district to meet its basic obligations. Regardless of whether one agrees the funding model should be this way, that is a matter for legislators rather than the local board, and it is the field we have been given to play on.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

While I have no idea what choices the administration, or a yet-to-be-elected board, would make in the event the millage failed, it would certainly result in obstacles and complexities to educating students. Even though I am confident Rockford, like any district, has room for improvement in terms of efficiently using the tax dollars it collects, I cannot imagine efficiency alone could solve such a deficit. The certain consequence, regardless of what choices were ultimately made, would be increased difficulty for Rockford to be competitive in the broader market of educational options, especially in the area of recruiting quality staff. In a time and place where many parents have the means to make choices to fit their priorities, Rockford cannot merely rely on residents to default to a public education for their students. Instead, the district must engage parents, voters, and taxpayers by proving themselves to be the premier educational choice worthy of both trust and financial investment, and achieving basic funding is certainly a foundational element toward that.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

I support the non-homestead operating millage. This has been in place for several years (since 1994) and provides a substantial amount to the school budget (around 8%). This is not focused on "wants." Passing this millage is essential to maintaining district needs. This will continue to support the district with maintaining staff, having adequate instruction materials, and ensuring student programs can continue to thrive. As a community, it is essential we support our schools. Communities thrive when the local school district remains strong. This is not a new tax. For those who have concerns on its impact on local businesses, I would encourage you to support and shop local to help Rockford thrive and remain one of the best areas to live in the state. I understand that many people feel divided on many issues. I feel the non-homestead millage is an action for us to come together, because ultimately, we need to step up and ensure the children in our community have access to the best education. I do think it is important RPS continue to explain the Headlee Amendment, so the community understands why the non-homestead millage and Headlee questions are listed as one question on the ballot.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

My fear is that this will impact staffing, extracurricular programs, and reducing access to high quality instructional material. Whomever is elected to the board will have to make difficult decisions that will have a negative impact on many families. It will place administration in a spot where the discussion of cuts will be more significant than it has been in some time. Not having the best funding possible could lead to Rockford Public Schools being less attractive if we are unable to offer the best quality education for our kids. Voting yes for this millage is a time for the community to come together to show the staff and students at Rockford Public Schools how much we value them.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

Yes, I will be voting YES on the non-homestead operating millage proposal. This funding represents approximately $9.5 million, or about 8% of Rockford Public Schools' operating budget. This is not additional or "extra" funding for our district. Michigan's school funding formula assumes local districts collect their authorized operating millage on non-homestead property based on an 18-mill tax levy. For Rockford, that local revenue is approximately $9.5 million and is part of the funding used to support the day-to-day operations of our schools. Nearly 80% of our district's budget supports people: our teachers, support staff, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, counselors, librarians, paraprofessionals, coaches, security and technology teams and the many other people who work with and support our students every day. Losing approximately $9.5 million from our operating budget would have a significant impact on our district, our staff and ultimately our students. That is why I will be voting YES!

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

The loss of approximately $9.5 million would have a significant impact on Rockford Public Schools. Based on how our district has approached financial challenges in the past, I believe we would do everything possible to protect classrooms and minimize the direct impact on students. However, a loss of this magnitude could not be absorbed without difficult decisions. We could potentially see larger class sizes, reductions in programs such as art and music, delayed technology upgrades, and reductions in staffing and services across the district. With nearly 80% of our budget supporting people, it would be unrealistic to suggest that a reduction of this size could occur without affecting the programs, services, and people who directly support our students. In addition, the failed bond proposal has already placed added pressure on both the general fund and the sinking fund, forcing the district to make difficult choices about how to address facility needs while continuing to support daily operations. If the non-homestead millage also fails, that financial strain would deepen, further limiting the district's ability to maintain facilities, preserve programs and services, and provide the level of support our students and families expect.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

After careful consideration, I plan to vote yes — not because I support every aspect of this proposal, but because I believe losing authorization for the 2027 levy would pose too great a risk to students, staff, and essential services. The Board chose to request 21 mills of authorization, although the district may levy no more than 18 mills in any year. The additional three mills may be used only to restore future Headlee reductions. I question the amount, four-year duration, combined structure, and whether spending priorities were examined first. That structure left me with an all-or-nothing choice: vote yes despite my concerns or risk essential funding with no guarantee of a better alternative. The current Board could advance the same proposal before newly elected members take office, and any replacement would require majority support. Residents deserve complete information, meaningful choices, and respect regardless of how they vote. Supporting school funding does not eliminate the Board's responsibility to scrutinize spending and establish clear priorities. If elected, I will approach every budget with fiscal responsibility, protect essential services, scrutinize discretionary spending, demand measurable accountability, and advocate for future proposals that are clearly written, appropriately sized, and offer residents meaningful choices.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

Failure in November would not immediately eliminate current operating revenue because the existing authorization remains effective through the 2026 levy. It would, however, create urgency and uncertainty. The district would need to present a revised proposal and secure voter approval in time for the 2027 levy. If no replacement authorization ultimately passed, Rockford Public Schools could lose approximately $9.5 million in annual operating revenue. That would be significant, but the specific impact would depend on how the administration and Board prioritized reductions. Particular cuts should not be presented as inevitable before that process occurs. The district's financial records raise legitimate concerns about current spending priorities, including administrative staffing levels and compensation, district-funded meals for administrators while school-based staff purchase their own food, an outside public-relations firm, substantial legal expenses, and numerous other discretionary expenditures. Before cutting essential positions, programs, or services, the Board should conduct a thorough, line-by-line review and explain its decisions publicly. My priority would be protecting classroom instruction, student safety, special education, mental-health services, transportation, food service, building operations, and the employees who provide them. A potential revenue loss would be serious, making transparent decision-making and responsible stewardship more important than ever.

No response was received from this candidate.

Q1: How do you plan to vote, and why?

A school board candidate should be evaluated on their judgment, willingness to listen, understanding of school finance, transparency, and ability to make informed decisions after hearing from the community and reviewing the facts available at the time. I am happy to discuss the importance of the funding, the district's financial needs, the impact on taxpayers, and what I believe should happen if the proposal does not pass. What I am choosing not to do is publicly declare how I intend to cast my private ballot. The secret ballot is an important protection in our democracy. While people are free to publicly share how they intend to vote, no voter should be pressured to disclose how they intend to cast their ballot. I am willing to be transparent about my principles, reasoning, and how I would approach an issue as a board member; however, I am entitled to make my own decision as a private citizen when I enter the voting booth. I want to be elected because voters trust my judgment, not because I gave the "right" yes-or-no answer to a predetermined question.

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Q2: What impact do you foresee if it doesn't pass?

The millage proposal failing would create a serious revenue problem, but it would not mean the district has to immediately make $9.5M in cuts on November 4. The current Non-Homestead and Headlee Override millages will still levy on this winter taxes providing RPS with roughly $4.76 million based on the taxable value indicated on the board approved L-4029. The RPS Audit Report 2024-2025 also indicates that the General Fund has an unassigned fund balance of $18.8 million. If the Operating Millage proposal does not pass, the above funds do not replace the lost revenue, however they provide the district with resources as it evaluates its options and engages the community. These resources don't eliminate the problem, but they provide an opportunity to evaluate options rather than immediately deciding on reductions. By no means should any immediate, long-term decisions be made if the Operating Millage proposal does not pass. If elected and the Operating Millage proposal does not pass, I would advocate for meaningful community engagement, as well as review of ballot languages and results of neighboring districts. I would ask district leadership and fellow board members to work together toward a May 2027 millage proposal.