LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo Superintendent Michael Rice has made the final round in the competition for the top education job in the state.
The State Board will interview three finalists for the State Superintendent of Schools in two weeks.
The finalists are: Dr. Rice, Ann Arbor Superintendent Jeanice Swift, and Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius.
Wayne RESA Superintendent Randy Liepa was put on a waiting list. Cassellius is also a candidate for the top job in Boston Schools. If she takes that job, Leipa will be asked to rejoin the list of finalists.
Several trustees had nice things to say about Dr. Rice, but other board members had equally nice things to say about the other candidates.
The next round of interviews on May 7th will allow trustees to do a deeper dive and test the ability of the candidates to think in their seats. They may make a selection afterwards.
Their choice would fill the vacancy left open by the death of Brian Whiston, who lost a fight with cancer one year to the day the board will conduct their next interviews.
