TiAnna Harrison, President

Jermaine Jackson, Vice President

Karla Murphy, Secretary

  • Karla Murphy

     

     

    Board Member since: 2023

    Term expires: December 31, 2028

    Phone: (989) 577-0000

    murphy.kpsboe@gmail.com 

     
     
    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 - Fundamentals
    CBA 214 - Open Meetings Act
    CBA 303 - Overseeing the Superintendency
    CBA 257 - School District Safety and Security
    CBA 227 - Ethical Challenges
    CBA 232 - Communicating Effectively in Difficult Times

Maricela Alcala, Treasurer

  • Maricela Alcala

     

     

     

    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. 

    Completed MASB trainings

Jennie Hill, Trustee

  • Jennie HIll

     

     

     

    Board Member since: 2011

    Term expires: December 31, 2028

    jahill1231@yahoo.com

     

    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

Patti Sholler-Barber, Trustee

  • Patti Sholler-Barber

     

     

    Board Member since: 2006

    Term expires: December 31, 2026

    Phone: (269) 873-2110

    pshollerbarber@gmail.com

     
    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 Service
    CBA 103 School Finance & School Budget
    CBA 106 Community Relations Leadership
    CBA 255 Culturally Competent Leaders
    CBA 260 Public Speaking Skills