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KPS: Every child. Every opportunity. Every time.
Dr. Darrin Slade Named Superintendent
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In a special meeting on May 11, the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Dr. Darrin Slade as the new superintendent for Kalamazoo Public Schools.
“The Board understood how important hiring the right person for our next superintendent was for KPS. We valued collaboration with our stakeholders as we made a decision of this magnitude. On behalf of all trustees," said Board President TiAnna Harrison. "I’d like to thank everyone who applied to be the leader of KPS as well as everyone who attended the interviews in person, viewed them online, or attended candidate response sessions. The feedback was very helpful. We are confident that Dr. Slade is the right person to take KPS to the next level and to help all of our students fulfill their promise."
Dr. Slade is the deputy superintendent of the Hazelwood Public School District in Missouri. He brings 30 years of experience in education. 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.
“My duty in this life is to provide support to and bring compassion for the needs of students. That’s what drives me. I look at all students like they are my own” said Dr. Slade during his interview on May 8.
Ray & Associates was hired in February to assist the board with the superintendent search. Six candidates were selected for semi-finalist interviews, which were held on April 24 and 27. The field was narrowed to three finalists who were interviewed in person on May 8. On May 9, the finalists toured the district and some of its facilities. Staff, students, parents, and community members had the opportunity to meet the three finalists and share their impressions with the board.
The board entered into contract negotiations with Dr. Slade. The board voted to approve his contract at a public meeting on May 25. Dr. Slade is expected to begin on June 23, 2023.
Dr. Darrin Slade, deputy superintendent of the Hazelwood Public School District, Missouri. Read his resume.
Search Timeline
Board Launches Search for New Superintendent
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Kalamazoo Public Schools has launched a search for a new superintendent.
The board selected Ray & Associates as its search firm at a special meeting on Feb. 20. Ray & Associates is a national search firm that has specialized in education executive leadership searches since 1975. The firm conducted numerous community input sessions March 14-16. Interviews will be held in April and May.
The board hopes to have a new superintendent in place by July 2023.
Cindy Green, a former KPS assistant superintendent for teaching and learning services, is serving as interim superintendent.
Search Survey Results
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Watch a Public Media Network recording of the Board of Education's March 23 meeting, during which the survey results were discussed.
Superintendent Job Posting
Ray & Associates Search Firm
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The Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education has hired Ray & Associates, Inc., a professional organization that specializes in school executive leadership searches, to help guide the search for the district's new superintendent. Since 1975, the firm has helped match school districts with leaders. The firm has a reputation for recruiting outstanding candidates that match the expectations of the board and the community and for recruiting women, minorities and non-traditional candidates for school districts.