Recognizing Mr. Kelly Richers
Floor Speech
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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Kelly Richers for his 35 years of service to the California education system and to congratulate him on his retirement as the Superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District. Mr. Richers' long-standing career as an educator and administrator in the Wasco Union Elementary School District began in 1986 at Norris Middle School in Bakersfield, where he taught Science. Over the next two decades, Mr. Richers was Vice Principal and Principal at various schools across the district, first as the Vice Principal of Thomas Jefferson Middle School, then as the Vice Principal and later Principal of Palm Avenue Elementary School, and lastly returning to Thomas Jefferson as the Principal in 2007. During his tenure, student outcomes across all schools improved immensely. In 2009, Mr. Richers became the Director of Categorical Programs and Special Projects for the school district. In this role, he coordinated a Migrant Resource Teacher program, implemented Parent Notification Letters, and established several community partnerships for the district's families. Throughout his four years as Director, Mr. Richers was focused on providing students and families of the district with the programs they needed to be successful. Mr. Richers was promoted to district Superintendent in 2014, where he oversaw a student body of more than 3,500 students, 500 personnel, and a yearly budget that exceeded $50 million. He supervised the passage of bonds totaling $36 million, the construction and renovation of several new school buildings, and the addition of special education buses and school nursing staff. As Superintendent, he has routinely demonstrated his commitment to Wasco Union Elementary School District's mission of excellence for all. Throughout his career, Mr. Richers has received many accolades for his leadership across the district. He was named Administrator of the Year by the Association of School Administrators and in 2009, was selected as the California Middle Grades Principal of the Year. Mr. Richers' immense contributions to the school district will have a lasting impact on the Wasco community for generations to come.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mr. Kelly Richers' service as an educator in the Central Valley. I wish him a happy and well-deserved retirement.
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