Unified School District No. 232 announced the appointment of Mr. Kevin Jeffries as Executive Director of the USD 232 Education Foundation. The Board of Education formally approved Jeffries’ appointment at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 1.
Jeffries is currently the school district’s Real World Learning Business to Education Coordinator, through funding provided by the Kauffman Foundation. He served in that role for the last two school years, helping connect students to internships and job shadow opportunities, while also connecting teachers and students to the business community through client-connected classroom projects. He will continue to facilitate meaningful business connections for students in his new role with the Education Foundation.
“I am excited about this chance to help provide expanded opportunities to teachers and students through the USD 232 Education Foundation,” Kevin Jeffries said. “I truly believe this is the best school district around, and I look forward to serving the USD 232 community in this new role.” Jeffries will replace Mrs. Kris Meyer as the Executive Director of the Education Foundation, who resigned in June to pursue other opportunities.
“We look forward to the experienced leadership Kevin will bring to our growing foundation to support USD 232,” said Rachele Zade, President of the USD 232 Education Foundation. “Kevin’s love for our school district combined with his depth of professional connections across Kansas City will strengthen the foundation’s mission to support educational excellence in USD 232 by connecting community resources through collaboration, recognition, and innovative partnerships.”
The school district received a great response to the position, which made for an extremely competitive selection process. The appointment of Kevin Jeffries follows a thorough search process conducted by district administration and leadership from the Education Foundation. The position is cooperatively funded by the school district and by the Education Foundation.
Prior to joining USD 232, Jeffries served 24 years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Leawood, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. During his tenure with the Leawood Chamber, Jeffries actively raised over $300,000 annually in private sponsorship dollars. Jeffries’ professional experience also includes time as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of First State Bank of Missouri; Vice President and Controller at Peoples Bank of Kansas; and Senior Accountant at KPMG CPAs.
He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Jeffries earned his Master of Urban Planning from the University of Kansas.