ROCKFORD, Michigan (WZZM) - Many parents in the Rockford School District are upset by the district's decision to eliminate the Middle School Spanish Immersion program.
In a letter sent home to parents Tuesday, the district lists off several reasons why it eliminated the program for sixth graders. Those reasons include the fact that state funding will be $6,846 per student for the 2012-13 school year. That's less than the district received seven years ago.
Another reason for the cut is the fact that Rockford is moving to all-day kindergarten in 2012-13 because of a state mandate. The all-day kindergarten will cost the district another $1.8 million. Superintendent Shibler says if Rockford did not provide all-day kindergarten, the district could lose $2.4 million in revenue from the state.
You can read more by clicking here, about the elimination of the Spanish Immersion program in middle school as well as the move to all-day kindergarten.
Rockford will provide a Spanish after-school program at the middle school level if there is enough interest. However, parents will have to pay for this program.
Some parents are upset by the decision and have started an online petition drive. You can find that petition by clicking here.