Kentwood is the third largest district in Kent and Ottawa counties with 9,242 students enrolled this school year. The Kent ISD School Board recently announced the appointment of Sylvia James to fill the opening on the board created when Bill Joseph retired. Education in Kentwood is about capturing the excitement of children to learn and to inspire them to believe in the value of ALL human beings. The contract stipulates Polston will get 25 vacation days as well as four personal days, three floating holidays, nine calendar holidays and 15 sick days. School leaders describe the district as a global community school with over 90 languages spoken, representing multiple cultures, races, ethnicities, and religions. Wyoming, Kent ISD | 2930 Knapp NE | Grand Rapids MI 49525. Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff has announced that at the end of this school year he will retire after 33 years as a teacher, coach, principal and district administrator working with students all along. Kentwood Public Schools taps nearby district leader Kevin Polston, of Godfrey-Lee, to be next superintendent, Michigan State University teams up with elementary school to help teachers with virtual classrooms, Thousands of Michigan students will get free WiFi hotspots and internet for remote learning. From the Superintendent Superintendent's Message Dear Kentwood Community, It is my honor to write to you as the new Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools! As an educator, I have always believed that positive relationships, active listening, empathy and a growth mindset lead to long term success. Kentwood Public Schools announced this week that after 33 years of service in the district Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff plans to retire on June 30, 2021, at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year. We are committed to excellence, equity, and diversity in education. This community values both quality facilities and the hard work of our teachers and staff members.. The Facts 94% KENTWOOD, Mich. (WOOD) Kentwood Public Schools Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff is preparing to retire. 3: Wyoming City Council Meeting, 7 pm, April 3: Kentwood City Commission Budget Meeting, 7 pm, Apr. Our candidate pool was exceptionally strong and our internal leadership team is outstanding, said board president Mimi Madden. Polston, who is currently the superintendent for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming, has been an educator for almost two decades. Polston has led Godfrey-Lee as its superintendent since 2017, and previously worked as a teacher, principal and curriculum specialist. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. His consistent drive over the years to help all students receive an education of excellence has been a guiding light for students, parents, teachers and staff members.. When I began my career in 1988, I was proud to be a Kentwood Public Schools teacher, he said. Staff - Kentwood Public Schools Staff Staff Quick Links We are proud to have you as part of the Kentwood Public Schools family! Compensation will be commensurate with experience of the successful candidate and requirements of the position. Kentwood Public Schools is proud to announce the inaugural year of Kentwood International Virtual Academy (KIVA). Click on the above link(s) for additional information. We provide the best-trained staff to educate our children in a safe and orderly environment. Norris ken@wktv.org The candidates selected by the board for interviews include two Kentwood administrators and four school leaders from districts in Kalamazoo, Wyoming, Flint and Indiana, including two current superintendents. KPS Superintendent Search Input: Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Kentwood Community Members: The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education has begun the process of soliciting. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. In an industry where leaders frequently change school districts, Zoerhoff spent his entire 33-year career in Kentwood Public Schools, serving as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant principal, assistant superintendent and finally as superintendent, according to the announcement. Show Like Word Matches. Kent ISD's New Strategic Plan Learn more about LEAD, Kent ISD's new strategic plan, and our updated Vision, Mission and Values. Kentwood Public School Dist . With a strong leadership team, we are expecting the transition to be seamless.. Lowell    School News Network is community journalism at work, funded through the donations of our sponsors and member school districts and developed by Kent ISD. Norris ken@wktv.org Polstons work in West Michigan reflects his passion for the power of education and the importance of strong partnerships between school systems and the communities they serve.. You can apply for school of choice to have your student attend with us in the fall. Grand Rapids    Sign up now to receive the latest from WKTV! Calendar Nutrition Menus ParentVUE/StudentVUE Staff Employment kentwoodbond.com kentwoodbondfwc.com Facebook News & Announcements Chromebook Agreement Staff/Students-Trouble Logging In? Browse reviews, directions, phone numbers and more info on Kentwood Public Schools. The school board unanimous voted to offer Kevin Polston the job. Thirty-three percent of Kentwood students are Black, 28% are white, 15% Hispanic/Latino, 15% Asian and 7% identify as being of two or more races, according to state data. Both will report directly to new Superintendent Kevin Polston, according to an announcement from the district. Polston was hired in 2017 to lead neighboring Godfrey-Lee schools. Mar. The Board of Education is working to establish a superintendent search process, said Board President Mimi Madden in a press release. GPS Longitude:-85.643473. Gretchen Whitmers Return to Learn Advisory Council, and in February was appointed chairperson of the governors statewide Student Recovery Advisory Council. Cedar Springs    If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Grandville    His salary will reopen to be determined by mutual agreement with the board in his third year. Kent City    She has worked as a journalist in the Grand Rapids area since 2000. Administration It has been an honor and privilege to serve this community over the past thirty three years, Superintendent Zoerhoff said in supplied material. In this MLive file photo, Julie Brill talks to her 2nd grade class after visiting with Gov. Superintendent at Kentwood Public Schools Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States 865 followers 500+ connections Join to view profile Kentwood Public Schools Michigan State University. Northview    Many students at Godfrey-Lee, and across Michigan, struggle with remote learning challenges due to unreliable internet connect. . Kent ISD    Strong relationships: Our teachers and staff members build strong relationships with our students; these relationships are at the heart of a positive learning environment. Superintendent. Search Timeline. Grand Rapids Community College    Report . Office of the Superintendent. He will receive a longevity stipend of $12,860 for each year of the contract. Rewarding every student's achievement in a nurturing environment is important to us. The Board will offer a comprehensive, multi-year contract. Camera offers new perspective, career goal, Loves math, wants to work in medicine with children, Students present artistic twist on being nice, New initiative aims to connect students with careers & schools with employers, District buildings promote mental health awareness, An MSU grads painful reflection: violence has turned my former green-and-white home red, https://www.kentwoodps.org/ourdistrict/boardofeducation/, Patient parapro + purposeful play = preschool progress, Civic-minded scholars delve into study of the Constitution, Student-organized college Q&A panel earns high marks. Grand Valley State University. The following interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, April 28: The following interviews are scheduled for Thursday, April 29: First-round interviews will be held in person at the Kentwood Administration Building, 5820 Eastern Ave., according to the release. Check out the calendar, talk with peers, give us a "like" or a follow on Facebook and more. To help students succeed with online learning, Polston championed a partnership between Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and Michigan States College of Education to provide elementary teachers with resources and strategies on how to effectively lead a virtual classroom amid the coronavirus pandemic. Grand Rapids Community College    It is my honor to write to you as the new Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools! 6: Wyoming City Council Meeting, 7 pm, Mar. Thornapple Kellogg    Wyoming, Kent ISD | 2930 Knapp NE | Grand Rapids MI 49525. Thornapple Kellogg    Join to connect Kentwood Public Schools. Kentwood Public Schools is the most diverse district in the state, which is part of what makes it so special, . We are proud to have you as part of the Kentwood Public Schools family! He will interview at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Average Kentwood Public Schools hourly pay ranges from approximately $11.41 per hour for Childcare Provider to $17.80 per hour for Site Coordinator. The interviews will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. He also served in 2019 as chair of the Kent Intermediate Superintendents Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Erin Albanese is associate managing editor and reporter, covering Byron Center, Kentwood, Wyoming and Grand Rapids Community College. As an educator, I have always believed that positive relationships, active listening, empathy and a growth mindset lead to long term success. We will continue to consistently emphasize: 1. Polston also successfully applied Godfrey-Lee for a donation from AT&T and nonprofit Connected Nation to provide at-risk students with free mobile hotspots and internet connectivity to help with remote learning. I am so excited to join our diverse global Kentwood community. SE Kentwood, MI 49508P: 616.455.4400 | F: 616.455.4476, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. school year7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. summer break (M-Th)7:30 a.m. - 11:30a.m. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 21: Wyoming Planning Commission, 7 pm, Mar. On May 6, the Kentwood Board of Education selected Polston from a pool of six finalist candidates who interviewed to be the new superintendent.