Rockford man slapped by school board member won't file charges. Here's why

Rockford School Board member Michael Connor struck the camera of a man who was filming Tuesday as Connor left a school board meeting.

On Wednesday, Connor submitted his resignation from the board, effective immediately.

Harlem School District teacher Nicholas Stange, the man behind the camera Tuesday night, posted the footage showing Connor confronting him on his Facebook page, stating:

"Since the summer of 2020, I have been documenting May 30th Alliance’s fight for racial justice in Rockford. Last night, I was filming members of the May 30th at the RPS 205 board meeting. After the meeting, I was assaulted by board member Michael Connor. As a fellow educator and resident of Rockford, I am very disappointed in his actions."

More:Rockford school board member resigns after alleged altercation in parking lot after meeting

In the video, Connor can be seen walking up to Stange in the parking lot outside the Rockford Public Schools Administration Building. The video shows Connor making contact with Stange and his camera. A woman can be heard saying "That's literal assault. You cannot do that."

Connor can been seen in the video walking up to the woman and asking her "What are you? Who are you?" before turning back to Stange and asking him the same question.

Connor then says "You have no business ..." and accuses Stange of "trying to intimidate" before he walks to his car.

'There's no denying that it happened'

The incident also was witnessed by several others including May 30th Alliance member Ari Perez.

"It was a small wind up and a smack," Perez said Wednesday. "It wasn't a push. It was a smack. From there, he stepped into his space. Like his body was touching Nick's body. That's when I came over and tried to break things up."

School Board President Jude Makulec said she was sitting in her vehicle when she too witnessed the incident.

"There's no denying that it happened," she said. "It's unfortunate that it happened. I know that he has served the board very well and that we were all shaken up that night."

Stange said the incident also was witnessed by a police officer who did not get out of her squad car until another police officer came out of the administration building.

The Register Star asked the Rockford Police Department if it is normal to have officers at the school board meetings, but the police department did not answer our question.

'Accountability, answers and solutions'

No charges have been filed in Tuesday night's incident and that's likely not going to change.

Stange spoke with the Register Star Wednesday and said he does not plan to file charges for "philosophical" reasons.

"The May 30th Alliance, they want to change the criminal justice system," he said. "So, I don't want to put somebody through the criminal justice system that I have problems with."

What Stange does want to see is "accountability, answers and solutions."

"I would love to see the community be outraged by what they saw, whether it was my video or the Parris Moore video," he said.

"I would love to see them come out to these board meetings and express that frustration and hold them accountable because change does not happen without tension. They need to realize that the community is upset, and they want better, and they deserve better."

More:Lawyer: Rockford student body slammed by cop in school hallway has brain damage

'Rattling on the nerves'

The incident involving Connor and Stange is in part fallout from a Sept. 21, 2021, police-involved incident at Auburn High School.

The video from that event shows a Rockford Police officer, who was serving as a school resource officer, slamming freshman Parris Moore to the floor in a hallway. The teen suffered a fractured skull.

The family said they were initially told Parris fell. A year passed before the video was made public. The Moore family has since filed a lawsuit against the school district and the city of Rockford among others.

Members of the May 30th Alliance have attended several Rockford School Board meetings to speak out against the officer's actions and the school district's response.

Makulec said protestors have been vocal and disruptive and are often present after the meetings when board members are leaving.

"Our expectation is that people who want to come and talk have their time to do so during public comment," she said, "but not to be yelling throughout the meeting. It's hard to conduct business with that happening. It's really rattling on the nerves."

Makulec also said because Parris Moore is a minor and because the case is in the legal system, the board cannot comment on the incident.

More:Self-described 'educational enthusiast' joins Rockford Public Schools board

What's next for the school district?

In a news release, Conner called it a privilege to serve on the board.

"I have seen the district, board and administration make a lot of progress in my nearly 10 years on the board," Connor said. "Much work remains to be done, however. I must continue to focus on my health. Also, I do not want to be a distraction to the good work and continued progress in the district.”

The board is now seeking applicants to fill Connor's vacated seat through the next school board election in April.

The application deadline is Dec. 2. Interviews will be conducted during the Committee of the Whole meeting Dec. 6. An appointment will be made at the Dec. 13 school board meeting.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Video shows Rockford School Board member in altercation with teacher