Rockford, Mich. — Tensions were high outside the Rockford Public Schools Administration Building Thursday as dozens of parents and local residents gathered in protest, united in their mission to save Parkside Elementary from a proposed closure.
The passionate crowd, holding signs and chanting, made their voices heard in a demonstration that reflected their deep concerns over the future of the beloved school. The protest was sparked by a proposal put forth in February by Rockford Schools Superintendent Steve Matthews, which would convert Parkside into an early childhood center due to what the district cites as low enrollment.
The plan, which would force students to leave their neighborhood school and relocate to Valley View Elementary, has ignited strong emotions among parents. Many see the proposal as an unwelcome disruption to the tight-knit community they’ve built around Parkside.
“We won’t go down without a fight,” said Libby Zawacki, a Parkside parent and protest organizer, as she addressed the crowd. “This school is more than just a building. It’s a family. We’re here to protect that.”
Zawacki, alongside other parents, voiced frustration over the perceived lack of communication and involvement in the decision-making process. Many attendees echoed Zawacki’s sentiments, expressing their belief that the restructuring proposal was made with little consultation from the community.
Robbie Augustine, another Parkside parent and protestor, criticized the school board for what he described as a hasty and non-transparent decision. “I would expect this to be a four- or five-year process, not a one-month process,” Augustine said. “To give us one-month warning on closing a school with no data, no parent input, I want to say it’s a bad process, but honestly, I don’t even think there was a process.”
In addition to the lack of time for proper community engagement, parents like Augustine worry that the decision was driven more by administrative concerns than by careful analysis or understanding of the broader impact on families. The proposal comes after a decline in student enrollment, and while the district contends that this is a necessary step to streamline operations, the affected families feel as though their needs have not been adequately considered.
Thursday’s protest represented a final plea to the school board, which is scheduled to vote on the proposal Monday, March 10. Many parents are hoping the board will delay the vote to allow for further community discussion and input before making a final decision.
“I would love for the school board to delay the vote and actually engage in the process,” Augustine said. “If they took the time to listen to all their partners, they could create a much better solution, and they wouldn’t have to make decisions like this.”
As the March 10 vote approaches, the future of Parkside Elementary hangs in the balance. Will the school board heed the concerns of the community, or will the restructuring plan move forward, changing the landscape of Rockford’s education system for good?
The outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the voices of Parkside parents are far from being silenced.
