MPS superintendent search; final interviews with finalists Friday
MPS superintendent search; final interviews
The three finalists for the position of Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent will have their final interviews during a special meeting on Friday.
MILWAUKEE - The three finalists for the position of Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent will have their final interviews during a special meeting on Friday, Feb. 7. The school board hopes to make a hire later this month, or in early March.
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
Dr. Brenda Cassellius; Dr. Joshua Starr; Dr. Andraé Townsel (Courtesy: MPS)
The three finalists took questions from the public at community sessions on Thursday.
What they're saying:
Brenda Cassellius addressed questions about mental health, race relations and undocumented students.
"I think it’s really important that we’re addressing literacy within the district, is the number one thing," she said.
Joshua Starr 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.
MPS superintendent search; community forums with finalists Thursday
The three finalists for the position of Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent are taking questions from the public at community sessions on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Andrae Townsel 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."
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.