Grand Rapids Public Schools
GRPS employees allege retaliation, toxic environment under district chief of staff
by (theoscheer)
Submitted 08-21-2024 under NEWS
Katherine Stacey, who works in the administrative office at a Grand Rapids Public Schools high school, has spent the last two years trying to avoid Larry Johnson, the district’s chief of staff and executive director of public safety and school...
GRPS comms director parts ways with district after accusing leadership of retaliation
by (theoscheer)
Submitted 07-19-2024 under NEWS
A former Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) spokesperson left the district Friday after accusing the superintendent of retaliation for raising concerns about his superiors. Leon Hendrix, formerly the executive director of communications and external...
Districts eye more 'normal' financial pictures due to end of ESSER funds
by (School News Network)
Submitted 07-17-2024 under NEWS
Local school districts are facing a more “normal” financial outlook as they head into the 2024-25 school year due to the end of COVID relief dollars that padded district coffers over the past four years. “Things are certainly going...
Accusations of retaliation surface as GRPS communications director placed on leave
by (theoscheer)
Submitted 07-11-2024 under NEWS
A Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) communications director was placed on paid administrative leave in March and is now seeking reinstatement, alleging retaliation for voicing concerns about his superiors’ leadership. According to a public...
Grand Rapids Board of Education recommends closures, sets input sessions
by (School News Network)
Submitted 12-04-2023 under NEWS
Grand Rapids — After two years of planning to restructure facilities, the Board of Education last month announced its recommendations for 10 building closures over the next five years. The “Reimagine GRPS with Us!”...
Community updates: Thursday, Dec. 9
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 12-09-2021 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Public Schools extends mask mandate through end of school year The requiring of face masks at all Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) has been extended through the end of the 2021-22 school year, the district announced Monday. Originally...
Community updates: Friday, Nov. 12
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 11-12-2021 under NEWS
Mel Trotter Ministries, partners to expand winter shelter services for unhoused residents Grand Rapids city commissioners on Tuesday approved a $330,000 agreement with Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) to expand winter shelter services for unhoused...
Community updates: Thursday, Aug. 19
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 08-19-2021 under NEWS
Kent District Library launching streaming platform for local musicians Kent District Library (KDL) has announced it will be launching a new streaming platform featuring West Michigan musicians, set for later this year. Called KDL Vibes, the platform...
Community updates: Friday, Aug. 6
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 08-06-2021 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne to retire next year Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne will be retiring in early 2022, he publicly announced on Tuesday. His retirement comes after more than three decades with the department and assuming...
Community updates: Friday, July 2
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 07-02-2021 under NEWS
Grand Rapids Public Schools announces Summer Meals program sites Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) has shared its list of sites for this year’s USDA-funded Summer Meals program happening throughout the city. Through the program, children up...