GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — School board members for Kent Intermediate School District asked the superintendent to negotiate a settlement agreement with an assistant superintendent after listening to reasons why he should be fired.
Bill Smith has been on paid administrative leave since June.
On Friday, board members listened to evidence from an internal investigation into Smith’s conduct, review of the district’s partnership with the software-company Kickstand and fervent denial of wrongdoing from Smith and his attorneys.
The disciplinary hearing was called as a special meeting. The board tabled discussions after more than five hours, asking both sides to take two weeks to come to a settlement agreement that will separate Smith from the district.
“I urge you to do your very best,” KISD School Board President Andrea Haidle said to both sides before the meeting adjourned.
As part of his termination recommendation, KISD Superintendent Ron Caniff presented his analysis of the district’s relationship with Kickstand, a company that bought a software called “Edify” from the district in 2014.