KISD New Staff Orientation Course

Name

Position

Bio

Kevin Konarska

Superintendent of the Kent ISD

Kevin was appointed Kent ISD Superintendent in January, 2007. Kent ISD is an education service agency that serves 20 public school districts and more than 125,000 students in public, parochial and public school academies in Kent and portions of Barry, Ionia and Ottawa counties. Konarska is a lifelong educator who served as the superintendent of the Thornapple Kellogg School District for five years prior to his selection to head Kent ISD. Before taking the helm of the TK district, he served for 10 years as an administrator and assistant superintendent in the Forest Hills Public Schools and as supervisor of secondary special education programs and a building principal with the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

At Kent ISD, Konarska instituted a strong strategic planning process that has directly engaged all staff members and the leaders of member school districts to develop cooperative services that conserve resources at the local district and better align Kent ISD products and services with customer needs. Kent ISD also has extended basic services well beyond its borders during his time as superintendent, bringing neighboring ISDs into money-saving consortiums for online learning, data warehouse and technology services. Konarska is a member of the National Superintendents Roundtable and plays a leadership role on several committees in the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators.

Ron Koehler, APR

Assistant Superintendent of Organizational and Community Initiatives (OCI)

Kent ISD serves public, private and charter schools educating 125,000 students. Ron works as a liaison between the education, business, philanthropic and government communities. Ron’s vision for education is an active and creative staff of educators working together with their community to improve student achievement. Ron works with schools and their leaders to communicate their vision and engage communities in support of students.

His office maintains a constant dialogue between educators and the broader community regarding the skills students need to excel in the workplace and in college.Ron and his staff are devoted to increased public accountability, student achievement and customer satisfaction with Kent ISD and the schools it serves.

Koehler holds a Master's degree in Public Affairs from the University of Illinois-Springfield and a bachelors in journalism from Southern Illinois University.

Mike Hagerty

Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services

Mike has been involved in providing leadership in education for the past 16 years. Before joining the Kent ISD, Mike was the Chief Financial Officer at the Allegan Educational Service Agency.

Mike holds a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.

Coni Sullivan, Esq.

Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Legal Services

William Smith, Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services

Bill's responsibilities include directing support and instructional services, including teaching and learning, special education, instructional technology, and career-technical education program including career to work and college readiness.

Dr. Smith leads the Instructional Services division of one of the most respected school service agencies in the country, which is focused on leading learning and helping all students achieve. These efforts are focused on leading the development of an innovative technology tool that blends highly effective curriculum and content resources with the data support services enabling parents, students, and teachers to experience the efficiencies of data-driven and research-based individualized instruction.

Before joining the Kent ISD, Bill was the Superintendent at Kent City Community Schools, Principal at Principal, Howell High School Howell Public Schools, Project Director, Assistant Principal, & Building Athletic Director at Farmington Public Schools, Tenured Classroom instructor at Otsego Public Schools, Assistant Athletic Director, Curriculum Leader, and Teacher at Otsego Public Schools and Social Studies Teacher at Kentwood Public Schools

Bill holds a Doctoral degree in Education from Northcentral University, a Master's degree from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor's degree from grand Valley State University.