Speaker

Kevin Polston

Kevin has served as superintendent of Kentwood (MI) Public Schools since 2021. His previous superintendent experience included four years at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming, Michigan. Prior to becoming a superintendent, he served as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Grand Haven Area Public Schools (MI) for 15 years. His vision is to “change the world through opportunities for students.”

In June, 2020, Kevin was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Return to School Advisory Council that advised on the MI Safe School Return to School Roadmap that created the conditions for students to return to face to face learning during the pandemic. Kevin was once again appointed by Governor Whitmer, this time to serve as the chairperson of the Student Recovery Advisory Council in February, 2021 to create a strategic vision for the state of Michigan for students to recover from the traumatic effects of COVID-19. The Council released the MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery in May, 2021 to support educational and policy leaders with recovery plans. Polston serves as a trustee on the Board of Trustees of KConnect, a collective impact organization in Grand Rapids, MI, whose mission is to ensure all children in Kent County have a clear path to economic prosperity through quality education, family, and community support. He is also a 2020 alumnus of the Grand Rapids Chamber’s Leadership Grand Rapids program.

Polston holds a BA from Michigan State University, a M. Ed. and Ed. S. from Grand Valley State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate studying educational leadership at Central Michigan University. Areas of expertise include strategic planning, innovative practices, and equitable leadership.

AllSessions

Day 1
January 18, 2023
3:00 pm

Plan, Prepare & Take Action: How to Respond to a Crisis on Campus

Great Lakes III (Lower Level)
18 January
Time:  3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Location:  Great Lakes III (Lower Level)

While extreme violent acts may be a relatively uncommon occurrence in Michigan,
schools should identify security concerns, implement protections, and develop safety priorities to identify possible dangers and threats. Districts must create a security plan to provide protection, address anxieties, and communicate with the community so if the unthinkable happens you have a clear, controlled and decisive plan.

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