ROCHELLE – Rochelle Middle School will move from standards-based grading to a modified system that includes traditional letter grades following a recommendation from school administrators. The change comes after staff raised concerns about student engagement and the effectiveness of standards-based reporting, as well as the need to better prepare students for high school.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Harper said they had a team of staff, teacher advisors, and principals work together to make that recommendation.
The District 231 Board of Education Board approved the transition unanimously Tuesday night.
The Rochelle Elementary District 231 School Board also approved a series of personnel actions, including hires, transfers, leaves, retirements, and separations. Certified staff changes include Shanda Schwartz taking family leave in May 2026, Stacey Horstmeier transferring from a 3rd grade mono to 3rd grade dual classroom for the 2026-2027 school year, and the hiring of Mya Erdahl, Kirsten Hedrick, and Tiffany Williams as 4th grade and special education teachers, along with Marlen Hueramo as an art teacher for 2026-2027. Support staff updates include the retirement of paraprofessional Cathy Long at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, the resignation of paraprofessional Alejandro Nazario effective February 6, 2026, and new hires Kellie Erickson as a paraprofessional and Kimberly Garcia as a lunch supervisor. John Dobbs was also approved as art supervisor for the 2025-2026 school year.