Michael Zoerhoff - WKTV Journal

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. (Supplied/Kentwood Pubic Schools)

By K.D. Norris

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.

In the Nov. 12 announcement, Zoerhoff offered appreciation to the KPS Board of Education, the Kentwood community, district staff, and, of course, all the students he has worked with and for over the years.

Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff, Kentwood Public schools. (Supplied/KPS)

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve this community over the past thirty three years,” Superintendent Zoerhoff said in supplied material. “It is with a sense of sadness but also deep gratitude that I retire from this wonderful profession.”

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.

“When I began my career in 1988, I was proud to be a Kentwood Public Schools teacher,” he said. “Even at the end of my career, that pride of teaching still remains. I am proud to be a Kentwood educator and I am proud to work with such a talented and dedicated staff.”

Board, community support has been consistent

“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. “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.”

Zoerhoff, however, credited district success to students, staff and parents “working together for excellence,” especially in community support to pass bonds and millages, which improved the facilities and increased safety.

“Our community understands the link between quality schools and safe and stable neighborhoods,” Zoerhoff said. “This community values both quality facilities and the hard work of our teachers and staff members.”

In addition to accepting Zoerhoff’s retirement announcement, the Board of Education will establish a superintendent search process.

“Listening and being responsive to our Kentwood community, both internal and external, has always been important,” Madden said. “This will continue during the Superintendent search process. In the coming month, we will establish a direction that maintains this tradition and identifies our next steps.”

Although Zoerhoff will be retiring as superintendent, his two children will continue to attend Kentwood Public Schools and his family plans to remain within the Kentwood community.

“I am confident that Kentwood Public Schools will continue to excel,” he said. “We are a thriving global community, a vibrant example of different perspectives and traditions growing and excelling together. Kentwood Public Schools has a very bright future.”

*Kentwood students work on a group project. Voters will consider renewal of the non-homestead operating millage May 7 (School News Network)*

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Voters of Kelloggsville and Kentwood Public Schools will be heading to the polls on Tuesday, May 7, to renew operating millage for the districts.

Kentwood Public School voters are being asked to renew the current 10-year operating millage, an assessment of 18 mills on non-homestead properties. The millage would be renewed through 2029.

The millage provides approximately 16.9 percent, or more than $18.2 million, of the school district’s annual operating budget. If not approved, the district would lose more than $18 million of funding for the 2020-21 school year, and a similar amount each following year.

“The non-homestead funding is critical to our everyday operations in Kentwood Public Schools,” said Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff. “Losing over $18 million of the district’s operating budget would have a major impact on the educational programs offered to our students and the community.”

Kelloggsville voters are being asked to renew its current operating millage, an assessment of 17 mills on non-homestead properties and to increase that millage by .5 or 50 cents per $1,000 taxable valuation. The increase, according to the ballot language is to help restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the “Headlee” amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963. If the millage with the increase is approved, it would raise about $2.6 million for the district in 2020. The millage proposal is for two years.

If approved, Kentwood and Kelloggsville Public Schools homeowners will not see an increase in their primary residence property tax since it would be for only non-homestead properties, such as businesses, rental properties and vacation homes.

The millage has been in place since 1994. Under Proposal A, a measure that changed the funding formula for the state’s public schools, a renewal of the 18 mills is required periodically by voters in order for the district to continue collecting the millage.

Due to the change in the election law last year, voters may also seek an absentee ballot for no reason. To request an absentee ballot, contact your city clerk’s office: Kentwood City Clerk office, 616-554-0730; Wyoming City
Clerk office, 616-530-7296; Grand Rapids City Clerk (for those living in the Kentwood Public Schools District, which is primarily the Third Ward), 616-456-3010 or email cityclerk@grcity.us; Gaines Township Clerk, 616-698-7980.

School News Network contributed to this story. For more local school news, visit the School News Network website.