On Tuesday, Nov. 4, eligible community members will be able to vote on Proposition S, a 45-cent tax levy to increase teacher and staff salaries, expand healthcare benefits and hire two additional school safety officers, according to the district’s website.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Cain said that this is the first time Rockwood has asked for something like this since 1994.

“We know that it’s a significant ask, and if we weren’t at a point of criticality that said we had to do something that looked different, we wouldn’t be before our community asking this question,” Dr. Cain said.

Dr. Cain said the district is falling behind in terms of pay to neighboring districts. For example, currently a beginning teacher in Rockwood ranks 17 out of 22 in comparable salaries to other school districts in the area.

“If our goal is to ultimately remain competitive, we’ve got to close these gaps for these employee groups as well,” Dr. Cain said.

Part of Prop S would help the district make all employees eligible for standard benefits, which would cost just over $3.5 million, Dr. Cain said.

For students, Dr. Cain said one of the most important factors in their learning is their interactions with staff.

“Every employee group is essential to either directly impact or support what is happening within our schools themselves,” Dr. Cain said.

If Prop S passes, the tax rate will be adjusted in Sept. 2026 and the district will receive proceeds in January of 2027. Dr. Cain said the district would then conduct a comparative analysis to see where each employee group stands in comparison to other employee groups in different districts in the county.

“So that doesn’t necessarily mean that every employee group will see the exact same bump of pay, but what it does mean is we will compare the resources that we have compared to where our staff are in fact ranking depending on the positions that they happen to work in,” Dr. Cain said.

Dr. Cain said that if Prop S doesn’t pass, the district will become increasingly less competitive.

“We will ultimately do what we have to do, but we know that the need is real and that’s why Prop S is before our community and on the ballot,” Dr. Cain said.

At the end of August, the Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA) representative assembly voted to endorse Prop S, Tom Cook, RNEA president, said.

While the district works to provide information about Prop S, the RNEA is trying to help the community understand why they should vote yes for the proposition.

Although the RNEA works primarily with educators, Cook recognizes that every staff member is needed to ensure the building runs effectively.

As fewer people are graduating with education degrees, Cook said school districts have to compete for a limited pool of potential staff.

“It’s important that we can pay competitive wages and offer competitive benefits in order to fill every position with the very best because Rockwood kids deserve the best,” Cook said.

Cook said the passing of Prop S will directly affect students, as without enough staff like bus drivers, custodians, counselors and librarians, students will suffer.

“They are essential to maintaining a safe, clean, welcoming environment for students, staff, parents and the community at large,” Cook said.

If the district’s revenue doesn’t come in as projected, the governor has the authority to withhold funds, making districts like Rockwood rely heavily on property taxes for funding, Cook said.

Because schools help prepare the next generation, Cook said, it’s necessary they have adequate funding.

“A healthy, prosperous community relies on a strong public education system,” Cook said.

Joshua Hyde, social studies teacher, said that while MHS is one of the top performing schools in the state, it continues to have some of the lowest paid staff members.

“We are helping to create some of the best performing students. We should be compensated adequately,” Hyde said.

If the district loses highly qualified teachers, students’ well-being and growth will be impacted, Hyde said.

“Its essentially knowledge and experience walking out the door,” Hyde said.

From being a cadet teacher this semester, Emery Kurkiewicz, junior, has developed a new understanding of teachers.

“It’s definitely made me more appreciative of them,” Kurkiewicz said. “I’ve always loved teachers, but [cadet teaching] has put a new light on them.”

Kurkiewicz said Prop S will help to encourage people to go into education as well as incentivize teachers to work to the best of their abilities.

“It’s important to pay teachers as they have such a fundamental role in society,” Kurkiewicz said.

This story was originally published on Marquette Messenger on October 8, 2025.