State of Michigan’s Superintendent announces retirement

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - The State of Michigan’s Superintendent, Dr. Michael F. Rice, has announced that he will retire later this year.

“It’s been an honor to serve Michigan’s 1.4 million public school children over the last six school years,” said Dr. Rice. “It’s been a privilege to work with the State Board of Education and the state’s talented teachers, students, parents, administrators, support staff, Governor Whitmer, state legislators, education organizations, broader community, and the dedicated staff of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), small in number but mighty in battle, to improve education for our children.

Rice was selected as the state’s 44th superintendent in May 2019 after serving 17 years as a local superintendent: 12 years in Kalamazoo and five in Clifton, N.J.

Rice will remain the State’s superintendent until Oct. 3, of this year.(Michigan Department of Education)

As the State’s superintendent, Rice helped Michigan reach its highest four-year graduation rate in history, 82.8%, in 2024. This is the highest level since the state adopted the federal formula for calculating the rate in 2008.

Rice also helped the state create the Michigan School Meals Program, which helped give free breakfast and lunch for all public school children.

With the help of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Rice helped create Michigan’s preschool program, the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). Over the last several years, the program has consistently ranked tied for first nationally in quality. In winter 2025, the governor announced that GSRP enrollment had reached a record high in Michigan.

“Family members are getting older and, with a nod to Robert Frost, I have promises to keep to them,” said Dr. Rice. “While I will be writing, consulting a bit, and mentoring in the coming year, I expect mostly to be reengaging more deeply with family. Beyond the year, though, I expect to return to working eye level with children, work that I have missed enormously these last six years and to which I look forward. To Frost again: ‘And miles to go before I sleep.‘”

Rice will remain the State’s superintendent until Oct. 3, of this year.

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