[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6181438,"mediaKeyId","5113011-87fbb2f6ba23aaabd2ea5e778d310f3b","parentId",5113011,"title","Rockford board adopts amended 2025 budgets, approves 2026 proposed budgets and certifies tax levies","audioSeconds",2196,"startMs",2957000,"endMs",5153000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113011-87fbb2f6ba23aaabd2ea5e778d310f3b&start=2957&end=5153","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113011-87fbb2f6ba23aaabd2ea5e778d310f3b/thumbnail_2957000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6181438/Michigan/Rockford-board-adopts-amended-2025-budgets-approves-2026-proposed-budgets-and-certifies-tax-levies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181438-2eb32c263e38a930c6ca40d08c31ef1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775260866&Signature=INhodEi99Cc7HGSq6qb7pHnIKClFnWJI8t8RBLreXzwxATrGZkA3sSv-6Lk99hsnTMbgt0AyWOPpeIxKr2Os9cmivKPPOg2ybNaE1l98XzsA7rpD8w9MLdL8OPpuBVDfzEmryo1vS3fu-DakYdutKdKWxKtFlb6R5TUKm39jnJRSVEz9xXnVLNlW-cesZx1P87F4UekjAWvhDoql-cPXqUb5PhehShFiFLqWk3tJGOxYO8frrfFpYd4idADXWWs9bEnSOCbBWO3GhwkMFlt33KJwuUUkJjFKeVJB4wNh06kHVRZ9OsD7PJYtr8RRZU8MlCA4OsRZU-oyDfZU1BEX-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rockford Public Schools, MI","date","2025-06-10T15:38:02Z","article","The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education approved a series of budget, tax and administrative actions at its Feb. 24 meeting, including revised fiscal-year 2025 budgets, proposed budgets for 2026, certification of the 2025 tax levy (L-4029), and ratification of the district’s 2019 bond third series.

Finance director-level staff presented budget revisions and the proposed FY2026 starting budget before the board voted. Miss Clements presented the revised FY2025 general fund budget showing total expenditures of $118,565,671 and total revenues of $112,614,930, leaving a projected deficit of $5,900,000 and an estimated ending fund balance of $14,009,910 (11.8% of general fund expenditures). The board approved the FY2025 revised general fund budget by motion and voice vote.

The board also approved revised and proposed budgets for the food service, activity and public trust (scholarship) funds. The revised food service budget shows revenues of $4,478,016 and expenditures of $4,599,553 with a planned deficit of $121,537 and an ending fund balance of $1,104,189. The district noted that federal pandemic-related funds have ended and that state and federal nutrition funding levels for next school year remain uncertain.

For FY2026 the board approved a proposed general fund starting budget that assumes a foundation allowance of $10,000 per pupil and budgets for a 100 FTE enrollment decrease to an estimated 7,430 FTE, producing a proposed deficit of $5,262,047 and a projected ending fund balance of $8,747,008 (7.5% of expenditures). The board adopted the proposed FY2026 budgets to allow planning and said the budgets will be revised as state revenue and enrollment figures are finalized.

Separately, the board approved certification of the 2025 tax levy (L-4029), which sets the district’s levy schedule and authorizes the tax collecting entities to collect amounts the district presented in the L-4029 form.

Other actions approved in the meeting included: a resolution ratifying the district’s 2019 bond third series pricing, a purchase of cafeteria furniture for the Rockford Freshman Center totaling $48,461.63, approval of administrator contract renewals on the district’s rolling schedule, certified staff hires (replacement hires), acceptance with regret of an administrator resignation, approval to participate in MHSAA activities, and a KISD millage resolution authorizing the intermediate district to place its renewal millage on the November ballot.

Board members asked questions during the budget presentation about state funding assumptions (foundation allowance history and the state’s consensus revenue process), the district’s reliance on people costs (approximately 79% of expenditures), and the timing of state budget decisions. The board discussed outreach to the district’s families and legislators to advocate for stable state funding and noted the importance of the KISD millage to the district’s per-pupil revenue.

Votes at a glance

- FY2025 revised general fund budget: Approved (motion by Christie; support Andrea) — Expenditures $118,565,671; Revenues $112,614,930; Projected deficit $5,900,000; Ending fund balance $14,009,910 (11.8%).

- FY2025 revised food service budget: Approved (motion by Christie; support Kelly) — Revenues $4,478,016; Expenditures $4,599,553; Planned deficit $121,537; Ending fund balance $1,104,189.

- FY2025 revised activity fund: Approved (motion by Christie; support Tricia) — Revenues $1,071,462; Expenditures $1,064,062.

- FY2025 revised public purpose trust (scholarships): Approved (motion by Christie; support Kelly) — Revenues $39,500; Expenditures $71,000; Ending fund balance approximately $200.

- FY2026 proposed general fund budget: Approved (motion by Christie; support Kelly) — Proposed expenditures $116,825,133; Proposed revenues $111,563,086; Projected deficit $5,262,047; Proposed ending fund balance $8,747,009 (7.5%).

- FY2026 proposed food service budget: Approved (motion by Kelly; support Andrea) — Revenues $4,683,243; Expenditures $4,731,161; Planned deficit $47,918; Ending fund balance $1,056,270.

- Debt retirement (2526) budget: Approved (motion by Christie; support Kelly) — 7 mills debt levy; taxable value cited at $3,017,914,310; tax revenue ~$21,897,132; fund balance cushion maintained.

- FY2026 proposed activity fund: Approved (motion by Kelly; support Andrea) — Revenues $1,125,025; Expenditures $1,117,265.

- FY2026 proposed public trust fund: Approved (motion by Andrea; support Christie) — Revenues $35,000; Expenditures $140,000; Ending estimate $97,835; larger scholarships to be transitioned to Rockford Education Foundation.

- 2025 tax levy certification (L-4029): Approved by roll call (motion by Christie; support Tricia Anderson) — form to be sent to taxing entities to levy the district’s authorized mills.

- Ratifying resolution for 2019 bond third series: Approved (motion by board) — final step after bond pricing May 14.

- Rockford Freshman Center cafeteria furniture purchase: Approved (motion by board) — $48,461.63 for two vendors to furnish interim cafeteria/student-union seating.

- Administrator contract renewals (rolling renewals for qualifying administrators): Approved.

- Certified staff new hires (seven replacement positions): Approved.

- Administrator resignation acceptance (Tom Hosford): Approved with regret.

- MHSAA participation resolution: Approved.

- KISD millage resolution (supporting placement of a renewal millage on November ballot): Approved by roll call.

The board took a number of the budget votes after hearing the finance report and public comment on the budget. Board members repeatedly emphasized uncertainty because the state legislature had not finalized the school-aid budget and said revised budgets would return for board approval if state revenue or enrollment assumptions change.

The board’s approvals clear the way for the district to finalize its FY2025 audited balances and to proceed with planning and negotiations for FY2026 while retaining the ability to revise budgets when state actions are final.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rockford Public Schools Board Meeting June, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Rockford Public Schools board approved revised budgets for FY2025, proposed budgets for FY2026, certified the 2025 tax levy and ratified bond and other routine resolutions. The board also approved purchases and personnel items during the Feb. 24 meeting.","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},6181442,"Rockford board approves easement for Cannon Township trail at Meadowridge Elementary",612,2328000,2940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5113011-87fbb2f6ba23aaabd2ea5e778d310f3b&start=2328&end=2940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5113011-87fbb2f6ba23aaabd2ea5e778d310f3b/thumbnail_2328000.jpg","/articles/6181442/Michigan/Rockford-board-approves-easement-for-Cannon-Township-trail-at-Meadowridge-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6181442-8c5ecda61605ff1ab9c803a3705029f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775260866&Signature=S0Sh0yJljaVrH9I72i9E~Jpv-sxSzi-ryWQOdRaUv9k8WfekKkhQ-hOCiRxVp8~7qLap0Wwrd-3x3vPgHBVKW3MJbcNHk4RMCePMa6JPsGYOdaqbs1CgDu7ssArmrxTh5NBIzsujvLcnttT71bwrhgoXxbf4k4fSY-1Xz~mwjbHqBFuIud1Fa2s16eKomETdDcFvIZGEj-QE~gaYeaHXywFFhAkDcZjAoMbvemLXJE1O9y6dC0a~ImArAUOyNYY-tInRnOUwAemn~dISM-ZU2bdfLt5d6NzfTxCnO7hOQM9aR9Arnex2pZ1EAfu8dvuQ8DAidwOVeVZ0Yv9THkklKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rockford Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve an easement on district property that will allow Cannon Township to build a paved trail segment connecting the Cannon Trail to Meadowridge Elementary and the broader Rockford trail network.

Board members voted by voice in favor of the easement after a presentation from Cannon Township trustees and engineers describing the route, timing and funding. The board motion to approve was made and supported, and the vote was recorded as in favor by the members present.

The easement will permit an 8-foot-wide paved trail along the south side of Meadowridge property, running north to tie into the existing township trail. Todd Olsen, a Cannon Township trustee, said the project completes a long-planned final link between Cannonsburg and Rockford and is designed to keep the trail off busy roads for safety and aesthetics. Scott Post, the township engineer, said the route was adjusted to avoid mature trees, to preserve a drainage berm on the north side of the site and to stay slightly south of the fence line so the trail keeps a wooded feel.

Township officials told the board the project is fully funded for construction starting after July 2026, with an estimated construction period of about three months. The township reported a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant for $300,000 toward the approximately $1.8 million total cost and said it will pay for construction and ongoing maintenance, including crack sealing, full replacement when needed, dog-waste stations and bench improvements.

Officials said the township has met with adjacent homeowners to address concerns such as tree removal and sight lines and will continue outreach. To reduce disruption to school operations, the township said it would structure the contract to complete the segment adjacent to the school before the start of fall classes.

The board packet noted the district attorney and the district’s counsel had reviewed the proposed easement agreement; board members asked about drainage, construction timing and resident outreach before voting. No formal conditions beyond the reviewed easement agreement were added by the board at the meeting.

The approved easement is an access and construction right only; Cannon Township representatives said they will retain responsibility for construction, trail maintenance and related operations once built. The trail connection will link to Cortland and other township-built segments to create a contiguous pedestrian and bicycle link to the Rockford boundary.

Board members and township officials said they consider the easement a partnership that will provide new nonmotorized access for students, parents and area residents.

The board’s approval was recorded by voice vote during the business portion of the Feb. 24, 2025 meeting. No additional district funds were requested of the board for this easement.","The Rockford Public Schools board approved an easement allowing Cannon Township to build an 8-foot trail segment that will connect the Cannon Trail to Meadowridge Elementary and the Rockford trail network. The township says the $1.8 million project is partly funded by a $300,000 DNR grant and is scheduled to begin after July 2026.","actionData","errors"]

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Rockford board adopts amended 2025 budgets, approves 2026 proposed budgets and certifies tax levies

Rockford board approves easement for Cannon Township trail at Meadowridge Elementary