KALAMAZOO, MI — Three years ago, Superintendent Darrin Slade came to Kalamazoo with a “no-nonsense” approach to leadership and intense focus on strengthening the district’s discipline policies.
New data from Kalamazoo Public Schools shows positive results. Total suspensions in the district during the 2025-26 school year through April 29 dropped by roughly 4,000 compared to the full 2024-25 school year.
While suspensions are down, officials acknowledge there’s still room to go — roughly 2 out of every 10 KPS students are getting suspended each year…