By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 11, 2012

Dr. Stephen Green dropped the title of interim superintendent last week, thanks to a unanimous vote from the Kansas City Public Schools’ Board of Education.

During an April 9 press conference, KCPS officials announced the district officially hired Green as the superintendent of schools.

“He’s really won us over,” Board of Education President Airick West told Northeast News. “We’re just really proud of what he’s done. The district needs stability now and he brings that.”

Green signed a two-year contract, which pays $250,000 per year and includes the option of two one-year extensions.

Before serving as interim superintendent beginning in September of 2011, Green served as president and chief executive officer of Kauffman Scholars, Inc., a college preparation and scholarship program geared toward helping students prepare for and graduate from college. He also served as superintendent of Community School District No. 28, as a local instruction superintendent in Region 3 for the New York City Board of Education and as the national executive director of the CollegeEd Program for the College Board, among other titles.

“Dr. Green has done an exceptional job, according to the state department of education, of keeping the district steady and moving us forward toward the goal of regaining accreditation,” West said.

Asked to list specific examples, West said Green has worked collaboratively with the community, parent associations and teachers’ union, utilized resources to increase the number of available seats in KCPS’ pre-kindergarten program and strengthened the dual college credit program by increasing the number of courses offered.

At least seven seniors from Northeast High School and East High School have earned enough college credits to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree, he said.

“This is stuff that makes a real difference in the lives of real scholars in the Northeast right now,” West said.

Green “injected” a “new energy” into the dual college credit program and is helping the district to regain at least two state accreditation standards this year, he added.

“He’s been here for years (in Kansas City) and isn’t intending to go anywhere,” West said. “That kind of commitment to our community is something I think our parents and our scholars deserve.”