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Rockford Public Schools Recognized Nationally for Excellence in Financial Transparency 

District earns one of country’s highest honors in financial reporting, underscoring continued confidence in its management of public resources.

Rockford, MI — Rockford Public Schools has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) for its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) by ASBO International, a global organization representing school business officials.  

The COE is one of the highest honors in school financial reporting, recognizing districts that demonstrate exceptional transparency, accuracy, and accountability in how they present financial information to their community.  

“This recognition reflects our district’s ongoing commitment to responsible financial stewardship for our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews. “We take seriously our responsibility to ensure taxpayers understand how their dollars are managed and invested in student success.” 

To receive the COE award, Rockford Public Schools submitted its ACFR for a rigorous review by independent experts and was evaluated against national standards for clarity, completeness, and adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Districts that earn this recognition go beyond basic reporting requirements to provide stakeholders with accessible, comprehensive financial information.  

Rockford Public Schools’ continued participation in the COE program highlights a sustained commitment to high-quality financial practices and continuous improvement. This recognition further reinforces the district’s strong financial position, reflected in its recent “A” bond rating from S&P Global Ratings, which underscores disciplined financial management and long-term planning.  

“Together, recognitions like the COE award and our ‘A’ from S&P demonstrate our commitment to transparency, accountability, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Board of Education President Jarrod Folsom. “Our community can be confident that we are managing resources responsibly while continuing to invest in high-quality educational opportunities for students.”  

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report includes detailed information on district revenues, expenditures, assets, and long-term financial planning, helping community members, board members, and stakeholders better understand how resources are allocated to support students and schools.  

Rockford Public Schools encourages community members to review its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which is available on the district’s website.  

Rockford Public Schools serves more than 7,600 students across 14 schools and is recognized as a leader in academic achievement and innovation, including receiving recent recognition as a Blue Ribbon District of Excellence and an Advanced Placement Achievement District.