Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews proposed to the Board of Education Monday night that Parkside Elementary be converted to an early childhood center, its current students and staff moved to Valley View Elementary.
Matthews says declining kindergarten enrollment is an issue that can be addressed by attracting families to Rockford by offering early childhood programs at Parkside.
“It’s closing as an elementary building. It is being repurposed to meet a community need. So, in our opinion, that’s a good use of a building resource here in our district.”
Parkside parents were emailed the plan and many showed up at the school board meeting to share their concerns.
Realtor Katie Baker noted new housing developments being built in the area and worries about crowded classrooms.
“This year my son is in one of the bigger classes and he has 18 kids in is class. With this proposed change, he would have 27 next year.”
Gina DeRyke’s children already moved from another school due to a redistricting plan in Rockford last year.
” You are considering three schools in three years but particularly for fourth graders, that’s actually four schools in four years because they’re moving to the middle school. That’s five schools in seven years for the kids that did virtual. And that’s without ever having moved.”
Matthews says more information is going out this week and plans to bring the proposal back to the school board in March for consideration.
