Rock Valley College educator appointed as newest Rockford School Board member
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — An educator at Rock Valley College was sworn in Tuesday night as the newest member of the Rockford School Board.
Kimberly Haley fills the Subdistrict F seat that was left vacant after the resignation of Michael Connor about a month ago. Connor resigned after video showed him swipe at a videographer’s camera after a heated board meeting in November.
Haley, who works as a student services advisor and adjunct professor at Rock Valley College, will serve in the role until the term ends in April. She plans to run for the seat again in the April 4 election, when all seven board seats are up for election.
“As an employee of Rock Valley College and as a huge advocate for education, I hope to bring the idea that education is for everybody,” said Haley, whose daughter is an East High School graduate now pursuing nursing at Rock Valley College. “All students can learn. We need to keep students in the classroom so we can make that possible. We need to put people in the classrooms that look like them.”
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Haley, who has worked at Rock Valley for about 17 years, was selected by board members from a field of six applicants. Four were interviewed for the role, and Haley’s appointment was unanimously approved by the other six board members.
“I want to ensure that students are provided with the best education possible, preparing them for the pursuit of higher education and 21st century jobs,” Haley said in her application for the role. “I want to foster an environment that supports the whole student. I have worked in education for over 30 years and I believe in the value of a quality education and lifelong learning. That foundation is established in K-12 schools.”
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Haley is the second new board member in less than two months to be appointed to a seat. On Oct. 25, former interim Winnebago County Clerk Tiana McCall was sworn in to fill the seat previously occupied by Kamrin Muhammad.
Haley said the district needs to be nimble in its efforts to improve student outcomes and be willing to change directions when needed.
“We don’t want to keep plowing ahead if it’s not working,” Haley said. “We maybe need to redirect some of our resources and some of our attention to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our students.”
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas
