47 apply to be next Rockford Public Schools superintendent

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford Public Schools said Tuesday that 47 candidates applied to succeed Ehren Jarrett as the district’s next superintendent.

The application window closed on Saturday, and candidates come from 10 states including Illinois.

BWP & Associates, the search firm hired by the board of education to lead the hiring process, is reviewing applications and conducting initial interviews. It will present the board with a recommended slate of five to seven semi-finalists on Nov. 17.

The goal is to select the next superintendent by mid-December. The new superintendent would begin their role on July 1.

“The board is very pleased with the number of candidates who have applied. This strong response is a testament to the strength of our community, our staff, our students and their families, and the solid foundation currently in place at RPS 205,” School Board President Paul Carpenter said in a news release. “We look forward to meeting the semi-finalists and continuing this thoughtful process to select the right leader for RPS 205 in 2026 and beyond. We appreciate BWP & Associates for their continued partnership in this important work.”

The semi-finalists will be selected based on the criteria developed by BWP with input from the school board, community members and other stakeholders.

Jarrett announced in March that he would not seek an extension of his contract once it’s up on June 30, 2026. He has held the district’s top job since 2013.

In July, the Hononegah School District decided to hire Jarrett as its next superintendent starting starting July 1, 2026.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas