Dr. Steve Matthews Admits School Repurposing Is Harder—Yet He Left the Community Out

Dr. Steve Matthews himself acknowledged that repurposing a school is "more difficult" than changing boundary lines. Yet, he failed to engage stakeholders before bringing the closure proposal to the Board.

He promised more community meetings, but as of now, only one was scheduled—on Feb. 12th, exclusively with Parkside parents. That’s not real engagement. 

At the recent PTO meeting, Dr. Matthews also admitted that Parkside’s low enrollment was caused by the district’s own redistricting decisions.

Dr. Matthews treads carefully around transparency and public input.MOV

This is not transparency. This is not respect.

Best practices demand early and meaningful community involvement—not rushed decisions made behind closed doors. We deserve a real voice in this process.—not after decisions are made.

Tell the Board to wait & collaborate!

Please write your school board members!!

JARROD: JFOLSOM@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

JAKE:  JHIMMELSPACH@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

KELLEY:  KFRERIDGE@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

CHRISTIE:  CRAMSEY@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

TRICIA:  TRANDERSON@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

BARB:  BHELMS@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

ANDREA:  AJACOBSON@ROCKFORDSCHOOLS.ORG

🏫📢 → https://chng.it/w5xXQby95b

#TransparencyMatters #CommunityFirst #BetterSchoolPlanning