Board Member Rockford Public Schools
Rockford Public Schools, Michigan
My vote power
High
Election date
November 3, 2026 · General election · 3 seats
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. Decisiveness: how likely this race is to be close, based on past results or current analyst ratings, plus the number of candidates.
Representation: High · 74 out of 100
This district is a small slice of its state, so each vote here carries much more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 45,833 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(10,077,761 ÷ 45,833) ÷ ln(50,000) = 74.92, measured against a statewide vote in MI (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No analyst ratings or past results for this contest yet.
High representation → My vote power: High.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
About this office
- Deciding how school district money is spent
- Picking the superintendent
- Choosing curriculum, within state rules
Affects: Government Efficiency, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control,
Candidates
Nonpartisan
As of September 2026, we found no public information about Brian Vella's job, background, or goals.
Nonpartisan
Emily Whalen is a certified government finance manager with more than 16 years in government and nonprofit work, and a Rockford schools parent. She wants clearer explanations of district decisions and careful use of taxpayer money.
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
Jarrod Folsom is president of the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education, first elected in 2022. He stresses openness, careful use of taxpayer money, and the district's plan to help every student succeed.
Nonpartisan
Jason P Peterson is the pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Rockford.
Nonpartisan
Josh Hall is a retired Army officer, former counterintelligence agent, and cybersecurity and IT leader with two high school students in Rockford schools. He wants more trust and openness between the district and families, and less red tape.
Nonpartisan
Lissa Geglio-Weidenfeller is an appointed trustee on the Rockford Public Schools board and was principal of North Rockford Middle School from 2006 to 2025. Her school work centered on student wellness, school safety, and using data to guide decisions.
Nonpartisan
As of September 2026, we found no public information about Miguel Quintanilla's job, background, or goals.
Sources: kentcountymi.gov · rockfordschools.org