KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – There are now three finalists for the job of Superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools.
After two interview sessions this week and grilling six semi-finalist, the Board of Education was able to whittle the list down to a final few Thursday night.
Board Chair Ti’Anna Harrison announced their consensus for what could be a final round of interviews, after the board filled out a matrix that ranked the semi-finalists numerically.
Dr. Ty Weeks is superintendent of schools for Dearborn Heights School District No. 7. The Detroit native has worked as a teacher, advocate mentor, professor, principal, Title IX compliance coordinator, and program developer for youth in the tri-county metropolitan Detroit area for two decades. He is a member of the Michigan Association of School Administrators and the American Association of School Administrators. He earned a bachelor’s in secondary education, master’s in K-12 administration, and doctorate in educational studies all from Eastern Michigan University, which also awarded him an honorary doctorate in public service in 2022.
Dr. Darrin Slade is the deputy superintendent of the Hazelwood Public School District in Missouri. He previously served as the assistant superintendent of Instructional Leadership for Kansas City Public Schools, where he supervised principals, instructional programming, school climate and strategic planning. He has 16 years of experience as an elementary, middle, and high school principal for the District of Columbia Public Schools. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Towson University, a master’s degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Maryland.
Dr. Stephanie Jones is the chief officer for the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services for Chicago Public Schools, where she provides strategic direction to district leaders, administrators, and staff to ensure grade-level instruction and equitable services for students. She began her career as a special education teacher with CPS and served as director of special services for an Illinois school district. She is a data-driven leader with knowledge of academic reform strategies. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology, a master’s in special education, and a doctorate in leadership in educational administration from Capella University.
The next round of interviews will take place Monday, May 8.
The next day the candidates will tour the district and participate in a public question and answer session. If the board can come to a consensus, a final decision could be made Thursday, May 11.
They hope to have the winner on the job July 1, 2023.
reporting from John McNeill
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