MPS superintendent search; community forums with finalists Thursday
Meet the three MPS superintendent finalists
The three finalists for the position of Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent are taking questions from the public at community sessions on Thursday, Feb. 6.
MILWAUKEE - The three finalists for the position of Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent are taking questions from the public at community sessions on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Three finalists
What we know:
Over 50 applications for the role were received and 48 candidates were considered. The board announced the following three education leaders as its finalists:
- Dr. Brenda Cassellius, former Superintendent for Boston Public Schools, MA
- Dr. Joshua Starr, former Superintendent for Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
- Dr. Andraé Townsel, current Superintendent for Calvert County Public Schools, MD
Brenda Cassellius
What they're saying:
"I think it’s really important that we’re addressing literacy within the district, is the number one thing," she said.
Cassellius addressed questions about mental health, race relations and undocumented students.
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"Kids are not going to come to school if they don’t feel safe," Cassellius said. "They need to feel safe."
Joshua Starr
What they're saying:
He answered questions about LGBTQ+ issues, parental involvement and how to get results:
"I’ve looked at the budgets, the org charts – I just don’t understand who’s responsible for what," Starr said.
Starr stepped away from his role in education to join the private sector and nonprofits for the last decade.
"It’s about looking at the data, it’s about understanding what the strengths are and the possibilities and opportunities are," he said.
Andrae Townsel
What they're saying:
He said he can help MPS overcome its financial challenges:
"When I was a superintendent in Michigan, I inherited a district that was $14 million in the hole," Townsel said. "When I left we were up plus $5 million."
He got reaction from the crowd, when asked about giving students a second chance and closing the achievement gap.
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"It’s not the opinion of Dr. Townsel – it’s the data," he said.
Making a decision
The final interviews will be held in a special meeting on Friday, Feb. 7.
The school board hopes to make a hire later this month, or in early March.
Timeline:
The former superintendent, Keith Posley, resigned in June 2024 after it was revealed the district failed to report important financial data to the state. The state threatened to withhold millions of dollars in funding as a result.
In July 2024, the school board voted to appoint Eduardo Galvan as MPS' interim superintendent.
The Source: The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.