KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The public is applauding the work of Kalamazoo Public School’s Interim Superintendent Gary Start as the district prepares for a board change.
After over three decades of being KPS’ Finance Director, Start was contemplating retirement, but he was then appointed to fill in after Dr. Michael Rice became the Michigan State Superintendent of Education last May.
Now, Dr. Rita Raichoudhuri is set to take over as the new Superintendent beginning June 1st. Start will remain on staff as the Deputy Superintendent of Finance.
During the board’s virtual meeting Thursday evening, salutes to Start poured in from staff members, the public and others.
“The district is really faced with some real challenges right now so thank you Gary,” one caller said. Another resident called Start a “beacon of light during this time.”
Start gave his senior staff, teachers and other employees the credit. “And I’ve been to over 700 board meetings and I’ve never had public comments that made me feel quite like that,” Start added.
In February, the KPS board unanimously selected Dr. Raichoudhuri as the district’s next Superintendent. Her three year contract was approved in March.
Dr. Raichoudhuri was the Executive Director of Early College & Career Education at Chicago Public Schools in Illinois. She has a Doctorate Degree in Urban Education Leadership and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her educational career has spanned 16 years including classroom teaching, building level principal and central office roles.
