Extended holiday for Kalamazoo superintendent prompts discussion among mom and dad
KALAMAZOO, MI — The Kalamazoo General public Colleges superintendent’s recent time away from the office was the converse of social media this week amid neighborhood dad and mom.
Rita Raichoudhuri still left for a month-extended depart from function during Thanksgiving Split, which commenced Nov. 22, she explained to WWMT News Channel 3 in a story the station posted online Tuesday, Dec. 21.
“The superintendent is on contractually gained leave,” KPS Communications Director Susan Coney claimed. “Although she is utilizing her trip times, she is actively engaged in the work of the district every day.”
Raichoudhuri will return to the place of work Friday, Dec. 31, she mentioned in an job interview with MLive Wednesday.
While some mothers and fathers were being upset, in accordance to WWMT, other individuals expressed assistance on social media for the superintendent utilizing her allotted holiday time. Commenters replying to the station’s share of the story on Fb expressed worry with increasing COVID-19 scenarios in Kalamazoo County and the rash of copycat threats throughout Michigan, immediately after a shooting at Oxford Higher School.
Some mother and father said a split from operate for additional than two consecutive weeks was inappropriate during the college yr, even though other folks arrived to Raichoudhuri’s defense and argued the time off is hers to use as she pleases.
In the course of her absence, learners attended courses for 15 days from Monday, Nov. 29, by Friday, Dec. 17, before leaving for Christmas crack, in accordance to the district’s 2021-22 calendar.
Coney reported the superintendent designed arrangements throughout her absence and carries on to choose phone calls and reply e-mail remotely. Three assistant superintendents and Coney are element of Raichouduri’s executive crew. Principals oversee day-to-day functions of every school structures.
Raichoudhuri started as superintendent in June 2020. The former Chicago General public Educational institutions administrator was hired in February, prior to the the COVID-19 pandemic’s arrival, but began her very first calendar year as superintendent practically after the initially cases of the virus had been detected in Michigan.
Raichoudhuri’s recent agreement allots her 30 holiday days per year. Less than the deal, the superintendent is also permitted to have above five unused holiday times from the former school year.
She instructed WWMT her December absence marks the first time she has taken time off from work because setting up as the district’s superintendent in June 2020.
The district remained in virtual manner for the full 2020-21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Raichoudhuri confronted criticism from dad and mom seeking in-person faculty, although other individuals applauded her for trying to keep youngsters at property throughout the pandemic.
Immediately after returning to in-particular person faculty in drop 2021, the district retained students and staff masked. Raichoudhuri introduced in October that irrespective of the overall health department’s mask mandate expiring, the district would extend their very own mandate by way of March.
The district’s Board of Schooling rated Raichoudhuri “highly effective” soon after her initial year in the place. The superintendent was applauded by the board at that time for her “thorough and explanatory shows, use of details, focus to details, inclusiveness, research-push method implementation and neighborhood college strategy, as very well as setting up the Fairness Job Pressure,” Board President Patti Sholler-Barber said.
Also on MLive:
Western Michigan professors safe $29.5M grant to aid Grand Rapids-place children
Vision for new vocation, technical education heart for Kalamazoo County pupils disclosed
Faculty vote no self-assurance in Western Michigan University’s president
