It can be hard to filter out all the admissions jargon when trying to pick a college. City of Wyoming meetings are live on Comcast Channel 26 or click here. In the coming month, we will establish a direction that maintains this tradition and identifies our next steps.. There is also an option for limited in-person seating and viewing opportunities at the Administration Building during the interviews. Welcome to Kentwood Public Schools Kentwood Public Schools are the heart of the community. Must include 3 out of 4 of the following. Kentwood    Kentwood Public Schools is the most diverse district in the state, which is part of what makes it so special, . Search Timeline. Here are a few quick links to make sure you have what you need to support our students. 13: Kentwood City Commission Meeting, 5 pm, Apr. Gretchen Whitmer at Meadowlawn Elementary in Kentwood Public Schools on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. She will interview at 7:15 p.m. He will earn a starting salary of $204,500 when he takes the reins on July 1. Network passwords will be synced with Gmail, Synergy, and eFinance accounts. I look forward to continuing the strong partnership between our community and Kentwood Public Schools.. We are committed to excellence, equity, and diversity in education. Kentwood Public Schools Educational Foundation Booster Programs Volunteers Aquatics Center KPS Community Resources McKinney-Vento search District Home search Search Search Website Search Options Show Exact Word Matches Only. What do I do? Places nearby. Godfrey-Lee    Grand Rapids    We provide the best-trained staff to educate our children in a safe and orderly environment. 6: Wyoming City Council Meeting, 7 pm, Mar. Parents allow us to work with their most precious gift - and we are thankful for their confidence and support. Our goal is for each student to master and apply the essential skills to be a successful, productive citizen. 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.. From home, please follow these instructions: Go to https://sso.kentwoodps.org/adfs/portal/updatepassword. Polston was hired in 2017 to lead neighboring Godfrey-Lee schools. The unanimous vote to offer the position to Superintendent Polston will continue the tradition of leadership excellence that our community has come to expect.. Administration Six candidates were interviewed April 28 and 29. KENTWOOD, MI The Kentwood Board of Education will interview six candidates this month in the search for the districts next superintendent. A graduate of Central Michigan University, she has written for The Grand Rapids Press, Advance Newspapers, On-the-Town Magazine and Group Tour Media. 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. I believe that education has the power to transform lives and I am pleased to join a district with an enduring commitment to excellence and equity, Polston said in a prepared statement. Superintendent. KENTWOOD, MI The Kentwood Board of Education recently approved a three-year contract for Kevin Polston, who will replace retiring Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff at the end of the school year. 5820 Eastern Ave. 113 were here. Second round interviews/First Opportunity for Board Selection of Superintendent, Second Opportunity for Board Selection of Superintendent, Interested candidates should complete and submit an online application found at, All questions regarding the search should be directed to Jay D. Bennett, Assistant Director of Executive Search Services, Michigan Association of School Boards, at 517.327.5928 or. Kevin Polston, currently superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools. The board selected Polston after final interviews with him and the other finalist, Nkenge Bergan, director of student services for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Our community understands the link between quality schools and safe and stable neighborhoods, Zoerhoff said. Both will report directly to new Superintendent Kevin Polston, according to an announcement from the district. Polston, currently superintendent for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, will take the reins from Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, who retires June 30 after eight years in the role. According to the announcement, interviews will be held in person, with appropriate social distancing, at the Kentwood Administration Building, 5820 Eastern Ave., in Kentwood. The Capturing Kids Hearts program that guides staff members and teachers in their work with our students will continue in the year ahead. 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. Kentwood Public Schools has a very bright future.. The Board of Education selected as finalists: The posting for the position received 31 applicants, according to information from the Michigan Association of School Boards. Kentwood Two finalists will interview for superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools Wednesday, May 5. Instead of 11111, use your employee ID#. Staff - Kentwood Public Schools Staff Staff Quick Links We are proud to have you as part of the Kentwood Public Schools family! Kentwood Public Schools are the Heart of the Community. He also was a teacher, coach, principal, and assistant principal in the district. Our candidate pool was exceptionally strong and our internal leadership team is outstanding, said board president Mimi Madden. The Kentwood Board of Education has approved a $204,500 starting salary for incoming superintendent Kevin Polston. Listening and being responsive to our Kentwood community, both internal and external, has always been important, Madden said. To accommodate proper social distancing, the Board of Education asks that interested persons RSVP to attend the interviews in person by emailing: interviews@kentwoodps.org. May 7, 2021 Kentwood In a unanimous vote, the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education has selected Kevin Polston to serve as its next superintendent. Anyone who wants to attend the interviews in person is asked to RSVP by emailing interviews@kentwoodps.org. 9 Wyoming Millage Informational Meeting, KDL Wyoming Branch, 7 p.m. Mar.13: Wyoming City Council Work Session, 5:30 pm, Mar.20: Wyoming City Council Meeting, 7 pm, Mar. 0 miles away. The Board will offer a comprehensive, multi-year contract. Nkenge Bergan, director of student services for Kalamazoo Public Schools. East Grand Rapids    . She is an award-winning journalist who got her start as the education reporter for the Grand Haven Tribune. Retired Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools Caledonia, Michigan, United States. Kentwood Public Schools - Strong Schools Strong Communities - Community - Kent ISD skip to Contentskip to Navigation Search FormQuick Search:Search Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter/span> Follow us on Instagram/span> Educators Career & College Readiness Continuous Improvement Educational Technology English Learners Equity & Student Success Completed online applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 pm on April 6, 2021. A Calvin University graduate, she later returned to Calvin to help manage its national writing festival. Kentwood Public Schools 5820 Eastern Ave Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49508 | (616) 455-4400 | Website QUICK STATS Student-Teacher Ratio 18:1 Number of Schools 16 Number of Students 9,228 Overview. KENTWOOD, MI - The Kentwood Board of Education will interview six candidates this month in the search for the district's next superintendent. Mimi Madden, president of the school board, said during a November school board meeting that Zoerhoff brought stable leadership to their community and school system during the uncertain times of the coronavirus pandemic. We are proud to have you as part of the Kentwood Public Schools family! Kent City    Mar. The board will begin contract. School leaders describe the district as a global community school with over 90 languages spoken, representing multiple cultures, races, ethnicities, and religions. Beth Heinen Bell is a reporter (covering Cedar Springs, Grandville, Lowell and Rockford), editor, copy editor and social media manager. We are a thriving global community, a vibrant example of different perspectives and traditions growing and excelling together. Our families are an integral and valued part of the education of our students. She was one of the original SNN staff writers, helping launch the site in 2013 and enjoys fulfilling the mission of sharing the stories of public education. The safety of our employees and community members remains the primary concern for Kentwood Public Schools. Finally, after the COVID challenges of the past year and a half, I am excited that we can continue in-person learning in the fall of 2021. Field Trips, Mentors, and other Experiences, Kentwood Public Schools Educational Foundation. It can be hard to filter out all the admissions jargon when trying to pick a college. (Supplied/Kentwood Pubic Schools) By K.D. The field with [emailprotected] can be in the following formats. Kentwood International Virtual Academy (KIVA). The "Old password"field is the current password that has expired Benefits Information Frontline Login Google Apps Synergy SIS COVID-19 Self Diagnosis The six candidates were selected out of 31 people who applied for the position, the Michigan Association of School Boards announced in a news release Tuesday, April 20. I look forward to building positive relationships with staff, students, families and the community of Kentwood as we collaboratively continue the longstanding tradition of excellence.. Compensation will be commensurate with experience of the successful candidate and requirements of the position. Check out the calendar, talk with peers, give us a "like" or a follow on Facebook and more. Kentwood Public Schools, together with parents and the community will educate all students in a safe, secure environment. This link will go live at approximately 5:45 p.m. the day of the interviews. Kentwood Public Schools; Lowell Area Schools; Northview Public Schools; Rockford Public Schools; . 13: Kentwood City Commission Meeting, 5 pm, Apr. "Veronica . Field Trips, Mentors, and other Experiences, Kentwood Public Schools Educational Foundation, https://sso.kentwoodps.org/adfs/portal/updatepassword, At least 8 characters in length CANNOT repeat same character more than twice in a row, CANNOT use your previous password as your new password. 7: Kentwood City Commission Meeting, 7 pm. City of Kentwood meetings are available by clickinghere. Polston has led Godfrey-Lee as its superintendent since 2017, and previously worked as a teacher, principal and curriculum specialist. Average Kentwood Public Schools hourly pay ranges from approximately $11.41 per hour for Childcare Provider to $17.80 per hour for Site Coordinator. Grand Valley State University. Internal network link ONLY This server does not have access outside of the KPS Network for security reasons. 27: Wyoming Millage Informational Meeting, Gezon Fire Station, 7 p.m. Apr. Thornapple Kellogg    Office of the Superintendent. Global schools focused on excellence:We succeed on an international stage because Kentwood has a global perspective with a commitment to excellence in all that we do. On behalf of our entire staff and the Board of Education, I would like to welcome you to our school community. Caledonia    Byron Center   My personal vision of changing the world through opportunities for students is one Kentwood has carried out through the vision of Excellence and Equity in Education, he said. Wyoming, Kent ISD | 2930 Knapp NE | Grand Rapids MI 49525. Polston has served as superintendent of Godfrey-Lee schools since 2017. Since the pandemic hit in March 2020, seven area districts had superintendents announce they are retiring, including Holland, Kentwood, Jenison, West Ottawa, Lowell, and the Kent and Ottawa ISDs. This is a school district where students were born in over 60 different countries and over 80 different languages are spoken! Kent ISD    You can apply for school of choice to have your student attend with us in the fall. It is a point of pride that our Kentwood alumni continually demonstrate success as they make an impact in our community and around the world. (Supplied/Kentwood Pubic Schools) By K.D. All rights reserved (About Us). Godwin Heights    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. Polston earned his bachelors degree in secondary education and teaching from Michigan State University and his masters in educational leadership and administration from Grand Valley State University, according to his LinkedIn profile. The window for school of choice applications opens April 10th and you can apply by going to school of choice under the student enrollment at the top of this page. The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education will interview six finalists including two in-house candidates and the current superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools on April 28-29, to replace Michael Zoerhoff as superintendent, who will leave the position at the end of the school year. Kentwood Public School teachers and administrators today will be discussing the districts long range diversity strategic plan to meet the needs of its increasingly diverse student body. We provide the best-trained staff to educate our children in a safe and orderly environment. Scheduled to be interviewed on Wednesday, April 28, are Tracy Reed, chief academic officer at Fort Wayne (Indiana) Community Schools (at 6 p.m.); Marcus Davenport, Ph.D., superintendent of Beecher Community Schools (7 p.m.), and Kevin Polston, Ed.S., superintendent, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools (8 p.m.). I believe (Polston) has a clear vision, and his goal to change the trajectory of kids lives resonates with me, said Pete Battey, board treasurer, during final discussion after second-round interviews Wednesday evening. Candidate names will become public at the time an interview is scheduled. 21: Kentwood City Commission Meeting, 7 pm. This follows last week's . School News Network is community journalism at work, funded through the donations of our sponsors and member school districts and developed by Kent ISD. 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. Kentwood In a unanimous vote, the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education has selected Kevin Polston to serve as its next superintendent. Erin Albanese is associate managing editor and reporter, covering Byron Center, Kentwood, Wyoming and Grand Rapids Community College. The "Confirm new password" field is the same password that was entered into the New password field Interested candidates should complete and submit an online application found at https://masb.myrevelus.com/. 10: Wyoming City Council Work Session, 5:30 pm, Apr. 21: Wyoming Planning Commission, 7 pm, Mar. Your Email: Sign up now to receive the latest from WKTV! We know a strong connection between teachers and students is the first step in creating a safe and positive school environment. In the coming weeks, our district and building leaders will share specific information about our upcoming back-to-school activities. I am confident that Kentwood Public Schools will continue to excel, he said. Kelloggsville    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. This three-year contract demonstrates the commitment of the Board of Education and Mr. Polston to the long-standing tradition of excellence at Kentwood Public Schools, Madden said in a prepared statement. Private Junior High School. The superintendent led Godfrey-Lee Public Schools through a tumultuous school year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. While there have been some leadership changes at Kentwood Public Schools, some things will not change. Here are a few quick links to make sure you have what you need to support our students. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. We are a child-centered environment We expect our students to work hard and excel. Polstons base salary will increase to $211,500 in the second year of his contract. Excellence and equity: Kentwood Public Schools is a global district with a commitment to excellence and equity in all that we do. Action. Forest Hills    Grandville    Northview    Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. KIVA is an online schooling option designed to meet the needs of students looking for flexible schedules and access to professional educators while performing the majority of their work at home. The district website (kentwoodps.org) will have viewing instructions and more information. This will continue during the Superintendent search process. KENTWOOD, MI - A newcomer is seeking to unseat one of three incumbent candidates who are up for reelection to the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education in the November general. Field Trips, Mentors, and other Experiences, Kentwood Public Schools Educational Foundation. Superintendent; Service Catalog; Pupil Membership Services; School Board. I don't live in Kentwood Public School's district but I want my student to attend. Copyright 2023 WKTV, All rights reserved. Zoerhoff, who announced in November he was retiring June 30, was named Kentwoods superintendent in 2013. The Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education will interview six finalists including two in-house candidates and the current superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools on April 28-29, to replace Michael Zoerhoff as superintendent, who will leave the position at the end of the school year. Kentwood Public Schools are the heart of the community. Lowell    Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools Job Type: Superintendent: Member Organization: Kentwood Public Schools - Kent: Consultant: Jay Bennett: Status: Complete: . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Search Form Quick Search: Search. The Kent ISD School Board recently announced the appointment of Sylvia James to fill the opening on the board created when Bill Joseph retired. Norris ken@wktv.org Scheduled to be interviewed on Thursday, April 29, are Evan Hordyk, executive director of secondary education, Kentwood Public Schools (6 p.m.); Nkenge Bergan, director of student services, Kalamazoo Public Schools (7 p.m.); and Jamie Gordon, executive director of human resources, Kentwood Public Schools (8 p.m.). Our Families are an integral and valued part of the Education of our Students. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Our Families are an integral and valued part of the Education of our Students. The school board also cited Polstons background as the son of a Palestinian immigrant and a first generation college student as a story that mirrors many Kentwood families. A preliminary salary range of $180,000 to $220,000 has been established. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 3: Wyoming City Council Meeting, 7 pm, April 3: Kentwood City Commission Budget Meeting, 7 pm, Apr. Norris ken@wktv.org I am proud to be a Kentwood educator and I am proud to work with such a talented and dedicated staff., In an uncertain time, Mr. Zoerhoff has brought stable leadership to our community and our school system, Mimi Madden, president of the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education, said in supplied material. The district announced Wednesday that Zoerhoff would leave June 30, 2021, at the end of . Polston, who is currently the superintendent for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming, has been an educator for almost two decades. 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! Kentwood is the third largest district in Kent and Ottawa counties with more than 9,000 students. We are a "no-excuse" district. Follow us on Facebook; Follow us on Twitter/span> . He is a systems thinker and a systems designer. Mar. Assistant Director of Executive Search Services, Michigan Association of School Boards, at 517.327.5928 or jbennett@masb.org. Kent City    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.. Nkenge Bergan, director of student services for Kalamazoo Public Schools. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). City of Kentwood meetings are available by clickinghere. Strong relationships: Our teachers and staff members build strong relationships with our students; these relationships are at the heart of a positive learning environment. In the coming months, I look forward to listening and learning in our Kentwood community as I engage with parents, students, teachers, and staff in a range of forums. IF requested by the candidate, materials will be treated confidentially through the screening process.