Transparency for RPS Taxpayers

06/17/2026

Why do we have to hear about this on the news? Where's the transparency? Why are 3 year olds on the bus? We all can speculate, but we shouldn't have to. ⛔️

A former driver for Rockford Public Schools has been placed on probation for a misdemeanor child abuse conviction after leaving a 3-year-old on a bus for more than an hour: https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/driver-gets-probation-after-3-year-old-left-on-rockford-bus/

06/08/2026

As Rockford's Start of Summer comes to a close, I want to take a moment to say thank you .

Thank you to everyone who has stopped to talk, asked questions, shared concerns, invited me to events, wears a button, or simply encourages me along the way. I am incredibly grateful for the support, conversations, and opportunities to listen and learn from our community.

Over the past several months, I've heard a lot about voter fatigue, and I think that's a fair concern. Because of that, I'm going to spend much of the Summer stepping back from public campaigning until after the August 4 primary. That means you won't see me posting as frequently, and campaign signs won't be going up just yet.

That doesn't mean the work stops.

I'll continue meeting with community members, listening, researching, and learning more about issues that matter to students, families, staff, taxpayers, and local businesses. Some of the topics I'll be spending time on include:

• Reviewing Rockford Public Schools' bullying policies and student support systems
• Safe Routes to School and student safety initiatives
• Student well-being, including opportunities for more recess and protecting recess as an important part of child development
• Expanding parent and volunteer involvement in our schools
• The upcoming Non-Homestead Millage and Headlee Override discussions and their impact on local businesses and, ultimately, consumers
• How information about school funding proposals is communicated to the public

I continue to believe transparency matters. Whether it's understanding how decisions are made, ensuring the community has complete information before important votes, or making sure all voices are heard, public trust is built through openness and accountability.

I also remain committed to strengthening partnerships between families and schools. This year I've had the opportunity to share ideas around expanding volunteer opportunities, supporting teachers, increasing family engagement, and creating more ways for parents to contribute their time and talents in our schools. I believe strong schools are built through strong community involvement.

Please take this time to review my website and posts I've made, and know I am working behind the scenes even if I don't publicize it.

If you'd like to get involved, I'm still looking for volunteers to help organize neighborhood coffee chats, park meet-and-greets, and fundraising efforts as we prepare for the final stretch of the campaign. If you're interested, click the Get Involved buttons on my website, or email [email protected].

Thank you again for your support, your ideas, and your willingness to engage in thoughtful conversations about the future of our schools and our community. Enjoy your summer, and I'll see you again in August.🌞🏖️🧡

05/30/2026

What can you say about a representational public body that silences dissent and conceals information from the public? That question lurks in the background of two lawsuits against public school boards in Michigan. Read more: https://www.mackinac.org/blog/2026/school-boards-should-represent-the-public-not-silence-it

05/27/2026

There may be seven candidates on the ballot, but you know Emily .

Emily has been willing to acknowledge something many avoid saying out loud: debt matters. Bonds have created a growing burden of debt that our community will carry for decades. That doesn't mean saying no to investment. It means being thoughtful, targeted, and honest about what we're asking taxpayers to support and why.

Emily supports ideas like exit interviews because if families are leaving, we should be asking why instead of chasing new students.

The school board exists to represent the voice of the community and provide oversight. It hires and fires the superintendent, asks difficult questions, and ensures major decisions are made with transparency and community engagement.

Our community should be consulted before big financial decisions are made. Before committing taxpayers to hundreds of millions in debt or major new projects, residents deserve to be informed, heard, and be part of the process.

Rockford Public Schools is about more than property values. RPS is our partner in raising the future of Rockford.

We need to retain the families we have. We need to understand why families leave. We need to get back to the basics of education, fiscal responsibility, and building the schools our community wants.

Join me in supporting Elect Emily Whalen for Rockford School Board. Let's build trust, ask questions, and make sure every voice has a seat at the table. - Robbie Augustine

05/18/2026

Why is it that the school board seems to only be transparent when pressured?

05/15/2026

Transpareny matters. Community voices matter. Follow to learn more.

Category 2: Ethical Governance and Board Role Awareness

This category evaluates a candidate’s understanding of the proper role and responsibilities of a board member. Key areas include recognizing the distinction between governance and day-to-day administration, respecting that individual board members do not possess independent legal authority, and demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality in service to the district and community.

Scoring Criteria

3 – Exemplary
Evidence strongly aligns with the criteria and includes specific, high-quality examples demonstrating a thorough understanding of ethical governance and board responsibilities.

2 – Proficient
Evidence aligns with the criteria and reflects a clear understanding of governance principles and appropriate board conduct.

1 – Emerging
Evidence is limited or demonstrates only a basic or incomplete understanding of governance responsibilities and board role expectations.

0 – Not Evident
No supporting evidence is provided, or the information presented contradicts the criteria, including indications of a single-issue focus or misunderstanding of the board’s role.

05/13/2026

If you have been following along, you know Trustee Anderson asked to have board comments last month. Her motion was denied by majority stating there should be guardrails. However, the superintendent doesn't have guardrails and gets final remarks at every board meeting. When will we get to hear from our elected school board members?

05/11/2026

"Some people call them factual inaccuracies, I call them lies." How many times have we been lied to? TRT seems to be the only governance over the school board's sole employee.

04/28/2026

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