D. Jones tells Kent County committee GRPS 'sold out the community' in vendor choice

During the public comment period, D. Jones identified himself as a ‘‘passionate entrepreneur and visionary’’ and criticized Grand Rapids Public Schools for choosing an out-of-area organization—contrary to a staff recommendation and the consultant JLL’s input—for a project he described as important to the community.

D. Jones told the Kent County Policy & Ops Committee: "Sarah, Jose, Eleanor, Amber, and and Richard that you guys sold out the community. You didn't go with the recommendations of the staff." He said the Stocking community hub project likely will not be located at Stocken School and argued the community had the funding to secure a local option this year.

Jones linked his concerns to broader distrust of large financial interests and criticized decision-making that, in his view, favored outside organizations and developers. He acknowledged controversy over previous ARPA funding recommendations and said he would not give up on the vision for a local community hub.

No county response or formal action followed the comment; the committee proceeded to its scheduled agenda items.