From our media partners at WOOD TV:
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.
Haidle’s comment came after Smith’s representation laid out plans for a lawsuit if the board voted to fire him, to which she acknowledged as a threat to the district.
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 lesson planning software called “Edify” from the district in 2014.
Smith is credited with being instrumental in getting Edify off the ground several years ago and operating it through the district.
Since Smith was placed on paid administrative leave, Target 8 has received several tips regarding the district’s involvement with the private company.
Caniff told the board the district has a net loss of roughly $1.1 million since the purchase agreement was signed five years ago.
The overall operating budget for KISD is roughly $300 million per year, Caniff said later when questioned for context.
According to the superintendent’s calculations, more than $772,500 was spent on employing people with district money to support the software.
Smith’s attorney, Bradley Glazier of Bos and Glazier, pointed out some of the salaries may have been paid for by grants the district received.
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