By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The Kent ISD School Board recently announced the appointment of Sylvia James to fill the opening on the board created when Bill Joseph retired. James is also serving as Trustee on the Board of Education for Kentwood Public Schools.
According to the ISD statement, in addition to her service in Kentwood’s public school system, she has extensive professional experience in operational and strategic human resources practices and management at Pridgeon & Clay, Inc., and previously with Steelcase, Spectrum Health and Robert Bosch, LLC.
“We are pleased to welcome Sylvia to the Kent ISD School Board and look forward to enlisting her experience, passion and dedication to serve all students in the Kent County area,” Ron Caniff, Superintendent, Kent ISD, said in supplied material. “The board is grateful to Bill Joseph for his 18 years of service, countless insights and many contributions throughout the years. We look forward to continuing this important work with Sylvia’s leadership and commitment to public education.”
James has lived in the Kentwood area for more than 25 years and is interested in expanding her reach to help meet the needs of students throughout the region, according to the ISD.
“I love how Kent ISD works collaboratively with all of the districts to provide programs and services to the residents of 23 public and non-public school districts.” James said in supplied material. “I am committed to ensuring that our students are well educated, as we provide for their safety and welfare.”
James was sworn in at the February Kent ISD School Board meeting. She will serve until the June 2021 election, at which time she can run to serve the remainder of Joseph’s term, through 2025.
Kent ISD is a regional educational service agency “devoted to achievement for all students,” and provides instructional and administrative services to more than 300 schools, 20 public districts, three non-public districts, and many public school academies and non-public schools.
For more information on the Kent ISD, see kentisd.org.
