Kent ISD Board Selects Jen Schottke to Serve, Honors Matt Rettig for Service

On Monday, September 16, 2025, Kent ISD board members selected Jen Schottke, President of West Michigan Construction Institute, in a unanimous vote to fill the board seat vacated by Matt Rettig in August. Rettig, who served as Vice President, Treasurer and Trustee during his tenure, received a resolution honoring him for 26 years of service to the school boards of Kent ISD and Kenowa Hills Public Schools. Kent ISD School Board expressed deep appreciation for his dedicated service and leadership.

Jen Schottke’s experience includes leading high school and career technical education programs and adult apprenticeship and craft training programs leading a team of part time and full time instructors at West Michigan Construction Institute. In this work she established educational and industry partnerships with Kent ISD, Ferris State University, the Literacy Center of West Michigan and area construction companies. She also served as President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of Grand Rapids School Board from 2016 to 2024. Schottke will fulfill the remainder of Rettig’s term on the Kent ISD School Board which expires in June 2027.