MI SoundBoard

Michigan's proposed education budget is on the table, and now all eyes are on the legislature. As school boards wait to see how the House and Senate shape—and ultimately finalize—the plan, key priorities and controversies are coming into focus. Jennifer Smith, MASB's Director of Government Relations, joins MISoundBoard to break down what's at stake—from promising highlights like free meals for all students to the ongoing debate surrounding Section 31aa.

Michigan's new State Superintendent, Glenn Maleyko, Ph.D., joins MI SoundBoard to share his vision for education in the state. Tune in to hear about his focus on improving literacy, the journey that led him to this role, and how a passion for hockey helped inspire his career in education.

In this special episode of MI SoundBoard, we welcome Joshua Cowen, Ph.D., Professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University, to discuss the ongoing conflict over school vouchers and their troubled track record with public schools.

In his debut episode of MI SoundBoard, Assistant Director of Executive Search Services Kevin Kelly, M.Ed., joins the conversation to unpack the current landscape of superintendent leadership in Michigan's public schools. From trends in the applicant pool to strategies districts can use to look inward when a superintendent is preparing to retire, Kevin shares practical insights for navigating leadership transitions with confidence.

Michigan—and much of the country—is facing a growing teacher shortage. With special guest Tara Kilbride, Ph.D., Associate Director of the Education Policy Innovation Collaboration at MSU, we dive into the data to explore what's driving the issue, how schools can better retain educators, and how universities can help bring the next generation of teachers into the classroom.