Rockwood School District Announces Inaugural Class of Community Connectors

The Rockwood School District has officially selected 30 parents, alumni, grandparents, business owners and community members to participate in the inaugural class of Rockwood Community Connectors. Designed to foster civic engagement and organizational transparency, the nine-month program provides district patrons with an in-depth, comprehensive look into the complex operations of one of Missouri’s largest and top-rated public school districts.

Following an open application window from May 22 through July 15, the district received 66 applications. The final cohort was carefully selected to ensure a representative cross-section of all four geographic quadrants of the district, bringing together diverse perspectives, geographic representation and a variety of backgrounds. The class members range in age from the early 20s to late 70s and include stay-at-home parents, retirees, business professionals, a medical doctor, a publisher, a realtor, a mayor and two first-responders, among others.

“The Rockwood Community Connectors program is designed to build meaningful relationships and enhance understanding between our school district and the citizens we serve,” said Rockwood Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain. “Participants will gain unprecedented access to the operational, financial, curricular and decision-making processes that shape our schools every day.”

Spanning daytime and evening sessions, the Class of 2027 will engage in sessions covering critical facets of school administration, including:

• Operational and Safety Logistics: The class will take an in-depth look at how and why decisions are made - from snow day decisions to new curriculum implementation to how to make our schools safer - and more.
• Hands-on Experiences: Class members will participate in an interactive bus tour across the district. They’ll also sit behind the wheel of a school bus, serve lunch in a cafeteria and sweep floors alongside our dedicated custodians, among other experiences.
• Fiscal Responsibility: The class will examine revenue streams, state funding formulas, local tax allocations and capital improvement expenditures.
• Workforce Development: Class members will tour career pathways equipping students with industry-recognized credentials in health care, business administration, skilled trades and emerging technology.
• Strategic Challenges: The class will get a glimpse into grappling with the challenges facing public schools across the country - shifting demographics, labor shortages, funding changes, aging facilities, student attendance and more.
• Leadership Access: Members will engage in structured Q&A sessions with cabinet-level administrators across Curriculum, Finance, Safety, Technology, Transportation and Special Education, as well as the superintendent and Board of Education. 

Rockwood Community Connectors — Inaugural Class of 2027

The class will come together for the first time for an Opening Reception on Sept. 8, and subsequent sessions will run through the end of May. Once a participant graduates from the program, they’ll join the Rockwood Community Connectors alumni group and be encouraged to stay engaged with the district, provide feedback on the program and attend special events alongside future cohorts.