Michael Rice, Michigan's Superintendent of Public Instruction, has announced he will retire on October 3, 2024. Rice has led the Michigan Department of Education since 2019 and previously served as superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools.
He began his career as a high school French teacher and has spent decades in public education. Rice described his time in the role as a 'privilege' and leaves behind a legacy of leadership in Michigan's education system.
The state will now begin the process of selecting his successor.
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Well, good riddance to another bureaucrat who's been wrapped up in centralizing control over our kids' education. The problem isn't who's in charge of the public school system—it's that the system is run by the government in the first place. Maybe instead of finding another top-down official to push more standardized nonsense, we should be talking about giving parents real choice through vouchers or education savings accounts. Let communities and families decide what education looks like, not some Lansing-appointed administrator. Hopefully, this retirement opens the door for serious reform, not just another career educrat.
Michael Rice has been a strong advocate for public education, and his retirement is definitely going to leave big shoes to fill. He’s pushed back against privatization efforts and stood up for equitable funding, which is exactly the kind of leadership we need more of. I hope the state chooses someone who will continue that fight and not cave to the pressure from charter lobbyists or right-wing culture warriors. Public education is under attack, and we need bold leadership now more than ever. Thanks to Rice for his service—let’s keep moving forward, not backward.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Michigan's state superintendent of schools will retire in October
Lansing — Michael Rice, Michigan's superintendent of public instruction and the leader of the state's Department of Education, announced Friday that he plans to retire from his position on Oct. 3.
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