Grand Rapids — The nationwide search for the next superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools has come down to two finalists: Kelly Greene, chief area instructional leader for GRPS, and Allison Tingwall, executive director of principal quality for Chicago Public Schools.
The district made the announcement Monday night, during a special meeting of the board of education. The two finalists are expected to visit the district on Wednesday, Oct. 28 to tour facilities before heading into one last interview session with the school board.
The final interviews will take place during a special meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at GRPS University, 1400 Fuller Ave. NE. The interviews will be open to the public, and will also be livestreamed here.
Following the interviews, the board plans to select its next superintendent.
“Our board believes both finalists align closely with the qualities and leadership characteristics our community identified as priorities in the next superintendent,” Board President José Rodriguez said in a district statement. “We are confident that both candidates would be exceptional leaders for GRPS.”
Meet the Candidates
Kelly Greene has more than 20 years of experience in education. Prior to her current role with GRPS, she served as the principal of Mona Shore Public Schools’ Campbell Elementary from 2018 to 2025. From 2010 to 2018, she was an assistant principal with Muskegon Public Schools. She is also an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University.
Allison Tingwall also has 20 years’ experience in public education. Before becoming executive director of principal quality, she held other leadership positions with Chicago Public Schools, including principal of Curie Metro High School, and resident principal of Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School.
Greene and Tingwall rose to the top of a list of 35 candidates who applied for the position. The search was led by Ray & Associates, and the process got underway following current Superintendent Leadriane Roby’s announcement that she would be leaving the district at the end of her current contract year. Her last day is June 30, 2027.
Following Roby’s announcement, the district sought community input to build a candidate profile for the search, including characteristics stakeholders would like to see in the next superintendent.
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