KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo Public Schools Supt. Michael Rice delivered his “State of the District” address on Thursday, detailing the successes KPS has had so far and listing all the challenges they still face.
If college is the goal, then Rice says his district is now outpacing not only the average for all public schools, but the average for wealthy districts.
“Since the advent of the Kalamazoo Promise 10 years ago, every major KPS indicator has improved bar none,” Rice said.
Dr. Rice spent most of the talk naming and describing the programs they have introduced, the involvement of the community and future plans for the district.
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go to before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep — Robert Frost,” Rice said. “To paraphrase, we have miles to go before we sleep. We have a lot of room to grow.”
Rice said they are getting closer every year, despite working with a legislature that has not been helpful, funding cutbacks and the problems and issues that every urban district faces. But he also said they’re doing it in a way that makes his district a model for the nation.
– John McNeill
