After more than 20 years with the Platte County R-3 School District, Dr. Mike Reik, superintendent, has announced his upcoming retirement after the next school year.
Upon his retirement, effective June 30, 2022, he will have served 13 years as superintendent and 21 years in the Platte County School District.
In a press release issued last week, Platte County School District board president Buffy Smith shared comments on behalf of the board of education.
“Our district has made tremendous progress under Dr. Reik’s leadership. The benefits of his advocacy for our district in the region and his approach to building a solid foundation for our district will be felt for many years to come,” Smith said. “We wish him the best in his new endeavors and are committed to building on his successes in the Platte County School District.”
Reik said he will continue to be a Pirate and will assist the board and next superintendent in the future.
“My impending retirement comes with bittersweet emotions,” Reik said. “It is hard to walk away from what we have built here and the many wonderful people that played a part in our success. However, I am excited for the next chapter of my life which will include much more time devoted to family.”
The district highlighted its accomplishments under Reik’s leadership, including:
Built new or improved existing facilities totaling more than $150 million by passing a levy increase in 2015 and a no tax increase bond issue in 2021; as well as multiple annually budgeted capital improvements
Transitioned to a K-5 elementary feeder system
Weathered one of the deepest recessions in American history and emerged financially healthy with strong reserves and a “AA” bond rating
Negotiated and acquired the gift of an 86-acre site that will serve as home to a new middle school and a future high school
Provided a 1:1 student to computer ratio
Improved student performance on state assessments and ACT
Deployed Quality Continuous Improvement framework system-wide
Increased student enrollment by more than 1,000 students
Cultivated partnerships with the development community resulting in our tax base growing by nearly $200 million
Expanded Northland Career Center, partnered to create Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies, and fostered industry partnerships to provide real world learning opportunities
Reik said he was proud of what the district has achieved.
“I can honestly say that I am leaving the district better than I found it, just as my predecessor did,” Reik said. “None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the benefit of board members, administrators, and staff members who genuinely care about our kids and our community. Together, we can be proud that our Pirate Family has much to celebrate. The future is bright in the Platte County School District, and I expect to see our star continue to rise.”
Reik began his employment with Platte County School District in the fall of 2001, acting as assistant principal in a dual role, both at Barry School and Platte City Middle School. After serving in that capacity for three years, he spent the following two years as the principal of Barry School. In the fall of 2006, Dr. Reik moved to the district office as assistant superintendent of curriculum, followed by assistant superintendent of support services. Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, Reik succeeded Dr. Mark Harpst as Platte County R-3’s fifth superintendent of schools.
He started his career in education as an elementary teacher in the Peoria Public School District in Illinois; then moved to Liberty Public Schools where he taught first grade for three years prior to his administrative move to Platte County. Holding a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University and a master’s degree from Northwest Missouri State University, Reik received his doctor of education in educational policy and leadership in 2007.
Reik has been actively involved in serving the Platte County and Greater Kansas City community. He is currently serving as President of the Platte County Economic Development Council (PCEDC), President of the Suburban Conference of Greater Kansas City, a commissioner of the Kansas City, KCI Corridor and Platte Purchase Tax Increment Finance Commissions, and standing director with the Platte City Chamber of Commerce and Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce. He has previously served as an executive committee member of Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA), President of the Greater Kansas City School Administrators Association, co-chair of the Northland Education Business Alliance, and a board member for the Northland Center for Advanced Professional Studies (NCAPS). In 2011, Dr. Reik was recognized as “New Superintendent of the Year” by the Greater Kansas City School Administrators Association as well as the 2016-17 Greater Kansas City nominee for the MASA Pearce Award, which is presented to an outstanding Missouri Superintendent of Schools.
The Platte County R-3 board of education will immediately begin to discuss the search process for Reik’s successor.