Rockwood Administrative Conference Focuses on Partnering, Planning and Promise for the Future

More than 150 Rockwood School District administrators, staff members and Board of Education directors gathered for the district’s annual Administrative Conference on July 23-25 at Marquette High.

The theme for this year’s conference was “We Partner, We Plan, We Promise,” centered on the upcoming work to devise Rockwood’s new five-year strategic plan.

“The roadmap that helps guide us to where we’re going is the comprehensive school improvement plan,” Dr. Cain shared with attendees on Day 3 of the conference. “We partner to listen; we plan together; and we promise to bring our collective vision to life. This is a very important school year.”

On the first day, administrators engaged in Dignity and Belonging training with John Krownapple and heard from colleagues who had implemented the training with their school cohorts during the 2023-2024 school year.

A total of six schools implemented cohorts during this past year, with 16 more planning to join this fall and nine in Spring 2025.

“This is some of the most powerful training I’ve ever had,” Selvidge Principal Dr. Mike Anselmo shared during his presentation. “It’s good work. It’s really important work.”

On the second day, school administrator teams and representatives from the Rockwood Curriculum Department met to review the progress of school improvement plans. Employee groups also engaged in half-day conflict resolution training sessions with the Department of Educational Equity and Access.

On the final day, after hearing opening remarks from Dr. Cain and Board of Education President Lynne Midyett, administrators engaged in sessions centered on student services, technology, communications and finance/operations.

The first day of Rockwood's 2024-2025 school year is Monday, Aug. 19.

“All kids: That’s the reason we’re here,” Dr. Cain said. “You inspire and impress me with how you’re doing what you’re doing to support what is happening to meet the needs of all kids in the Rockwood School District. We will have another great school year.”