Seattle Public Schools have hired Don Kennedy as the district's new chief financial and operations officer.

In the newly configured position, Kennedy assumes the responsibilities of former Chief Operations Officer Mark Green and former Chief Financial Officer Art Jarvis. In this role, he has leadership responsibility for the school district's business functions of Capital Projects Program, Enrollment, Facility Services, Finance, Information Technology, Planning, Procurement, and School Support Services, among other district operations. Kennedy officially assumes his responsibilities on November 1.

Kennedy has more than seventeen years of leadership experience in the areas of governmental and corporate finance and operations management. Most recently he was the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for the Charleston County School District in South Carolina. In Charleston, he was credited with improving the school district's financial condition, modernizing business systems and processes, and restructuring non-academic organizations into a cohesive unit that supported the academic goals of the superintendent and the Board of Trustees.

"Don's proven record of leadership and team building will be a great asset to Seattle Public Schools," said Seattle School Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson said. "His experience in both the public and private sector in the areas of performance management, finances, and operations made him the clear choice for this critical role. Don joins our team at an excellent time as we align the district's finances and operations to support academic success for all students."