Michael Rice

Michael F. Rice (born 1963) is an American educator.

Biography Rice was born around 1963.

Rice began his public education career at Washington, D.C. Public Schools, where he taught high school French. Rice went on to serve five years as superintendent of Clifton Public Schools in New Jersey, and then 12 years as that of Kalamazoo Public Schools in Michigan. Such policies include public funds going toward private schools, student retention requirements based on reading levels, and the adoption of an A-through-F grading system.

In 2019, the position of Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction had been filled by interim Superintendent Sheila Alles since the death of Superintendent Brian Whiston in 2018. The partisan makeup of the Michigan Board of Education was six Democrats and two Republicans. Rice was selected by the Board of Education on May 7, 2019, by a vote of 5–3, the other three votes going to Randy Liepa. Rice was supported by five of the six Democrats on the board. He began serving on August 1.

Rice announced his retirement as state superintendent on April 4, 2025. He retired on October 3, immediately succeeded by interim superintendent Sue C. Carnell, with Glenn Maleyko selected to be his proper replacement.