Reading is the key that unlocks every child’s future – and yet, only 62% of Rockford’s 3rd graders are reading proficiently.  I am leading a community-wide effort to improve that number up to 90%. 

I am calling on the district, but also on the community, to come together and help our children reach their potential.  The transition of “Learning to read” to “Reading to learn” is critical.  If a child misses this milestone before they turn 9 years old, they are 4x more likely to drop out of high school, 2x more likely to experience one or more teen pregnancies, and more likely to spend their adult life in poverty or incarcerated. 

The good news is that reading with a child for just a few minutes a couple times per week can change the trajectory of their lives.  I am inviting our community to join me in giving these children the gift of reading.  Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of the mission to change lives one reader at a time!

Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons’ 2024 report highlighted a year of modernization, transparency, and steady service, from launching early voting and anti-fraud tools to advancing paperless court filings, all while maintaining fiscal balance and public trust.