- Kent School District
- Superintendent Search
Superintendent Search

Superintendent Search Process Updates
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As trustees for the community's schools, the Kent School Board of Directors is responsible and accountable for vision, structure, advocacy, and accountability. This includes hiring and evaluating the superintendent.
The superintendent search process is a multi-month process, and the COVID-19 pandemic does impact the ability of the school board to hold meetings in person in the same way that superintendent searches have been done in the past. Below are updates on the superintendent search. To the right is the timeline of the process the board has negotiated with the executive search firm with the ultimate goal of selecting a new superintendent by the end of April 2022 who will start on July 1, 2022.
Superintendent Search Updates
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April 20 - Mr. Israel Vela Named Next Superintendent
At a special board meeting on April 20, 2022, the Kent School District (KSD) Board of Directors named Mr. Israel Vela as the next superintendent.
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April 4, 5 and 7 - Finalist Interviews
On Friday, April 1, 2022, the board announced opportunities via the school and district websites, New In the Blue District Newsletters, and various district communication platforms the full schedule for the three finalists to be interviewed on April 4, 5, and 7, including biographical information, pre-recorded public interviews, feedback forms and opportunities for student, family, staff and community engagement were also sent via email, calendar invitations and partner meetings.
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March 30 - McPherson and Jacobson Present Semifinalists to Board
On March 30 2022, McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. presented semifinalists to the school board, during executive session the board evaluate the qualifications of applicants presented by the search firm, leading to the selection of up to three final candidates to be interviewed the week of April 4-8.
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March 9 - McPherson and Jacobson Present Stakeholder Input to Board
On March 9 2022, McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. presented at the regular school board meeting as part of Phase 2 of their contract stakeholder Input, advertising the position, and recruiting applicants, the consultants have summarized the online stakeholder input and will now present the information to the board.
In addition to the contracted stakeholder input through online surveys and community meetings, the Communications and Public Affairs team also conducted a ThoughtExchange during the same period to gather feedback from stakeholders. The results from this exchange are also now available for the board as they continue to prepare to select the next KSD Superintendent.
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January 29, 2022 - Kent School Board met with the McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.
On January 29, 2022, the Kent School Board met with the McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. consultant to discuss qualities and characteristics of the next KSD Superintendent, finalize the superintendent search calendar including community engagement, discuss compensation, and the interview process during the BSGT retreat.
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January 12, 2022 - Kent School Board discussed and authorized the execution of the McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. consulting contract
On January 12, 2022, the Kent School Board discussed and authorized the execution of the McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C. consulting contract. The purpose of the contract is to assist the Board of Directors in selecting a superintendent.
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December 7, 2021 - Kent School Board unanimously approved the selection of McPherson and Jacobson, LLC
On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, the Kent School Board unanimously approved the selection of McPherson and Jacobson, LLC as the firm search for the next KSD Superintendent. After receiving presentations from two superintendent search firms, including a period for questions and answers, during a special meeting the board took final action authorizing and directing staff to draft a contract with the selected search firm to begin the search for the next KSD Superintendent.
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October 27, 2021 - Kent School Board unanimously approved the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP)
On Wednesday, October 27, the Kent School Board unanimously approved the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage a search firm to conduct a nationwide superintendent search for the Kent School District with firm qualification packets due by Monday, November 22, 2021. The first step in the process of selecting a search firm is for the Board of Directors to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for interested search firms to submit their qualifications to the Board of Directors no later than Monday, November 22, 2021. During KSD Community Conversations October 28 - November 6, the board and KSD Leaders will be seeking in put on the qualifications and characteristics of the new KSD Superintendent to support the search.
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September 22, 2021 - Kent School Board unanimously voted to select Mr. Israel Vela as KSD's Interim Superintendent
On Wednesday, September 22, 2021, the Kent School Board unanimously voted to select Mr. Israel Vela as KSD's interim superintendent. Mr. Vela has been serving in this role since August 2, and will continue to do so until a permanent superintendent is selected to replace Dr. Watts. The board will focus on the permanent superintendent search involving the public later this school year. Information will be shared on this page and in open public meetings about the search process as the board moves forward. The board will focus on the permanent superintendent search involving the public later this school year. Information will be shared on this page and in open public meetings about the search process as the board moves forward.
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September 9, 2021 - Extend the current contract for Mr. Israel Vela as the Interim Superintendent
On Wednesday, September 9, the Kent School Board unanimously voted to extend the current contract for Mr. Israel Vela as the interim superintendent. As a next step, the KSD board will review applications and select a new interim superintendent. The board will focus on the permanent superintendent search involving the public later this school year. Information will be shared on this page and in open public meetings about the search process as the board moves forward.
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August 11, 2021 - Options for hiring a long-term Interim Superintendent
On Wednesday, August 11, the Kent School Board discussed their options for hiring a long-term interim superintendent. The Board decided to create and post a job description for the interim superintendent position. The need to extend Interim Superintendent Vela's 30-day contract beyond August 31 was discussed, however, the board decided to hold this decision until the August 25, 2021 board meeting.
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July 29, 2021 - Unanimous Interim Superintendent Selection, Israel Vela
On Wednesday, July 29, 2021, the Kent School Board unanimously approved Chief School Operations and Academic Support Officer Israel Vela as the Interim Superintendent of Kent School District effective August 2, 2021. The Board’s decision was a 30-day interim appointment for Chief Vela. Read more about Mr. Vela. KSD Board President Denise Daniels shared “This 30-day appointment will allow our Board to work together to determine the next best steps for our district. In addition, we will be providing opportunities for the community to engage in the superintendent search as we work through this transition together. More information will be shared as soon as it is available.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is conducting the superintendent search?
The board hired an external national executive search firm, McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., to conduct the search.
The executive director of communications and public affairs, Melissa Laramie, serves as the district's point of contact for the firm and meets regularly with the board president and vice president to provide updates.
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When will the new superintendent be hired?
The Board is planning to tentatively hire and announce the new superintendent by the end of April 2022.
The new superintendent would begin her/his role on July 1, 2022.
These dates are subject to change as the search process continues.
Contact
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Executive Search Firm
McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.
11725 Arbor Street, Suite 220
Omaha, Nebraska 68144888.375.4814
402.991.7031
Search Timeline
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January 29, 2022
Board Work Session to prepare the posting of the position, discuss characteristics and qualities, compensation parameters, and finalize a timeline.
February 2, 2022
The search firm will post the KSD Superintendent position and begin accepting applications.
February 14-18, 2022
The search firm will hold virtual stakeholder meetings, post an online survey, and open a Thoughtexchange through the district to seek community input on the next KSD Superintendent.
February 16, 2022
Board Work Session with the search firm to finalize the interview process and interview questions.
March 9, 2022
McPherson and Jacobson will present the stakeholder input report at the regular board meeting.
March 16, 2022
Deadline for applications for the superintendent position.
March 30, 2022
Board will review semi-finalist interviews in the Executive session, and select up to three finalists.
April 4 - 8, 2022
Finalist interviews, candidates are named publicly prior to April 4. Each finalist will spend a day touring schools, meeting with stakeholder groups, and engaging in an online forum. Links will be posted here.
Late April 2022
The Board will announce the appointment of the new superintendent publicly and begin contract negotiations.
July 1, 2022
Superintendent’s first day.
These dates are subject to change as the search process continues.