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School Bond Issue Passed, District's Work Has Just Begun

Rockford Public Schools

A measure to allow Rockford Public Schools to issue $139 million in bonds to finance a massive rebuilding plan passed by a wide margin on Tuesday.  However, the District’s work has only just begun.

Dr Ehren Jarrett has been chosen as the Rockford School District’s next superintendent. The soon-to-be-former assistant superintendent says the District is thrilled that the issue passed. But, he says, a lot more planning is necessary, because the District wants to be careful with the authority it has been given.

“We really want to meet all of the needs that we’ve outlined in our ten year facility plan as quickly as possible, but we want to minimize the disruption to the learning environment and maximizes an emphasis on best practice.”

Jarrett says a lot more work needs to be done before he can talk about a timeline for specific projects, but he hopes to get some of them started by next summer.

“We definitely want to have a large chunk of work get started right away in June so students can benefit as quickly as the 13-14 school year.”

Jarrett says the District also wants to be able to take advantage of low interest rates, before they rise, which is expected to happen as the economy improves. Jarrett says he hopes to have a more specific project list and construction schedule by January or February. But, rest assured, it will happen.

“We are gonna slowly and systematically be moving away from the dreaded gymacafatoriums.”

Guy Stephens produces news stories for the station, and coordinates our online events calendar, PSAs and Arts Calendar announcements. In each of these ways, Guy helps keep our listening community informed about what's going on, whether on a national or local level. Guy's degrees are in music, and he spent a number of years as a classical host on WNIU. In fact, after nearly 20 years with Northern Public Radio, the best description of his job may be "other duties as required."
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