New Kalamazoo Schools Chief Chosen

Rituparna (Rita) Raichoudhuri has been selected to lead the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Raichoudhuri, who has a Doctorate in Education, comes to Kalamazoo from the Chicago Public School District. She was selected from a process that started with six candidates for the position vacated by Dr. Michael Rice, who was named the Michigan State Superintendent of Education in May.

(Michigan Association of School Boards via YouTube)

MLive reports Raichoudhuri was selected unanimously the the Kalamazoo Public Schools District Board of Education.

“I am honored and thrilled that I have been invited to become a part of the KPS family and a member of the Kalamazoo community,” Raichoudhuri said in a statement emailed to MLive. “The outpouring of support and encouragement has been truly humbling.” - MLive

Raichoudhuri is currently the Executive Director for Early College & Career Education for the Chicago Public Schools, one of the largest school systems in the country. Prior to that she spent four years as principal of Welles Community Academy High School in Chicago.

No date has been set for Raichoudhuri to begin her new post, as contract negotiations are currently underway.