- Kalamazoo Public Schools
- Board Members
TiAnna Harrison, President
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Term expires: December 31, 2026
Phone: (269) 910-6272
Karla Murphy, Secretary
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Board Member since: 2023
Term expires: December 31, 2028
Phone: (989) 577-0000
Biography: I am currently working for DTE Energy. I married my high school boyfriend in 2005, and we have three kids. We also have three cats. We moved to Kalamazoo in 2015, so 2023 is our eighth year attending KPS. Our oldest graduated from Loy Norrix in 2019, and our twins are in the Loy Norrix Class of 2024. They are involved in choir and drama, and one is enrolled in both Career & Technical Education and Early/Middle College. I'm on the board because I was asked to run, and I was chosen by the voters in Kalamazoo. My bottom line will always be the children of this school district. That may look like updating policy or voting to upgrade facilities, but it will always be for the benefit of the children.Board Training:CBA 101 - FundamentalsCBA 214 - Open Meetings ActCBA 303 - Overseeing the SuperintendencyCBA 257 - School District Safety and SecurityCBA 227 - Ethical ChallengesCBA 232 - Communicating Effectively in Difficult Times
Maricela Alcala, Treasurer
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Board Member since: July 2023
Term expires: December 31, 2024
alcalamg@kalamazoopublicschools.net
Biography: Alcala has helped people navigate conflict to improve their lives and their communities for over 18 years. She is the CEO of Gryphon Place, a local nonprofit that provides support and resources to people that are facing crisis. Gryphon Place is the leading agency for suicide prevention in Southwest Michigan. It offers a 24/7 helpline and is part of the statewide 2-1-1 information and referral system. Gryphon offers restorative practice programs in schools and is the local volunteer center for Kalamazoo.
Alcala is a national reviewer for AIRS (Alliance of Information & Referral Services) accreditation, is a voting member of the Michigan Commission of Juvenile Justice and is a founder of ELLAS, a local professional development organization for Latine leaders.
Born in Ohio, she moved to Mexico in her youth and received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Information Systems from the University of Veracruz. She became an Outreach Specialist at Adelante Latine Resource Center assisting Latine/Hispanic families with drug and alcohol prevention before joining United Way of Greater Toledo. She is a certified LivingWorks, SafeTalk, and QPR trainer,
Alcala is a parent of two KPS graduates.
Jennie Hill, Trustee
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Board Member since: 2011
Term expires: December 31, 2028
Biography: Currently, I am a member of the League of Women Voters Kalamazoo and serve as chair of the Young Voter Education Program. I have also served as an election worker at Kalamazoo City Hall since 2017. I have 20 years of experience volunteering with KPS as a parent serving as, among other things: PTO president at Parkwood-Upjohn Elementary, Loy Norrix High School Band treasurer, and Grad Bash co-chair. All of this experience has given me insight into the challenges and opportunities the district presents. I am a strong advocate for all students and believe every student should have every opportunity to succeed. I work as a registered nurse at the Kalamazoo College Student Health Center. This is my 12th year in that position. I am married to Dr. Bob Hill, and we have three children, who are all KPS graduates and Kalamazoo Promise recipients: Marleigh (University of Michigan), Wyatt (Western Michigan University), and Lindsey (Michigan State University).
Takisha Johnson, Trustee
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Board Member since: 2023
Term expires: Dec. 31, 2024
Patti Sholler-Barber, Trustee
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Board Member since: 2006
Term expires: December 31, 2026
Phone: (269) 873-2110
Biography: B.A. Michigan State University. I taught secondary education for 34 years.I believe in strong inclusive public education and have dedicated both my personal and professional life to that end. Kids count. All kids count. Serving as a past KPS Board President and current trustee is a huge and humbling responsibility, an owed service to the community, and, most motivating, a champion of families, students and staff of KPS. More importantly, it means I am on the team that continually works to attain the KPS goal of “Every student, every opportunity, every time.” That work is never done… “miles to go before we sleep.”Board Training:CBA 101 Introduction to Board ServiceCBA 103 School Finance & School BudgetCBA 106 Community Relations LeadershipCBA 255 Culturally Competent LeadersCBA 260 Public Speaking Skills