[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 102 (Monday, June 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING MR. KELLY RICHERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 12, 2023

  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.

                          ____________________