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Superintendent Search

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Milwaukee Public Schools is engaging in a search for its next superintendent! This individual will lead the district to deliver a high-quality education for students, support families, inspire staff, and enhance the community. By developing students as the leaders and workforce of the future, Milwaukee can thrive and offer an exceptional quality of life. 

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors has selected Hazard Young Attea Associates (HYA), a national consulting firm, to gather input from Milwaukee residents at all levels, recruit candidates, and guide the search. 

To keep our city informed, this webpage will serve as a source for all information related to the superintendent search. Please check back often for updates as the search moves forward. You will have the chance to participate in public meetings, learn about candidates and their qualifications, and follow along as we get closer to meeting our next superintendent. 

Superintendent Finalists Named

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On Friday, January 31, 2025, at a Special meeting, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors named its finalists for the role of Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools.

"We are pleased by the number of stellar candidates who applied to be considered for the role of Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools," President Herndon shared. "We look forward to bringing the finalists to Milwaukee next week to meet with our stakeholders."

Over 50 applications for the role were received and 48 candidates were considered. The Board narrowed the candidate pool to the three finalists who it believes to be well positioned to serve the Milwaukee community.

Superintendent Candidates

Today, the Board is pleased to announce that 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


Finalists Days in the District

February 6th: Meet and Greet Opportunities

The selected finalists have been invited to spend two days in the District, on February 6th and 7th, 2025, participating in interviews, visiting schools and meeting with stakeholders.

There will be two opportunities on February 6th for community members to hear from and provide feedback on the Superintendent Finalists Candidates.

Community stakeholder meetings with the finalists will be held at MPS Central Office – 5225 West Vliet Street in the Auditorium on Thursday, February 6th. The first session will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and the second session will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The schedule will go as follows:

Community Forums with the Finalists

February 6th, 1:00 – 3:45 pm and 5:30 – 8:15 pm, Central Services Auditorium

1:00 – 1:45 - Candidate 1

2:00 – 2:45 – Candidate 2

3:00 – 3:45 – Candidate 3

Break

5:30 – 6:15 - Candidate 1

6:30 – 7:15 – Candidate 2

7:30 – 8:15 – Candidate 3

Candidates will be introduced by the Board Clerk, Dr. Tina Owen-Moore

Finalists will give a brief introduction and share their vision and goals for the district. Leaders from HYA, the superintendent search firm, will moderate questions from the community.

Following each presentation, community members will be able to provide feedback on the candidate for the Board's consideration using a QR code that will be provided.

For more information, please contact the MPS Office of Board Governance at (414) 475-8284 or atgovernance@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

The Board aims to announce Milwaukee's next Superintendent in late February or early March.

Online Survey

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Information generated from this anonymous survey will be used to develop a profile of desired qualities and characteristics in the next superintendent. It will guide recruitment and the development of interview questions.

This survey is no longer available.

The window to complete the survey regarding the qualities of the next superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools has been extended to Sunday, October 27th.

The survey closed at 11:59 PM on October 27, 2024.

Virtual and In-Person Focus Groups

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Your input is important! Please attend a focus group listed below based on your relationship with Milwaukee Public Schools. Registration is not needed—just show up and jump in. Some focus groups are in person and some are on Zoom.

If you can’t attend a focus group or you would like to add comments from a scheduled focus group you attended, please email your comments to the following individuals: 

Mike Richie, HYA Vice President: mikerichie@hyasearch.com
Pat Neudecker, HYA Senior Associate: patneudecker@hyasearch.com
Carlton Jenkins, HYA Associate: carltonjenkins@hyasearch.com

The same set of questions will be asked at all focus groups. 

  1. What are the strengths of Milwaukee Public Schools that the next superintendent can build upon? 
  2. What are the challenges facing Milwaukee Public Schools that the next superintendent should be aware of, or you would like to see addressed? 
  3. What characteristics or traits are you looking for in your new superintendent? 
  4. Is there anything else you would like to share with us regarding Milwaukee Public Schools?
  5. HYA will be recruiting potential superintendent candidates for this position. Can you think of anyone who might be a good fit as your new superintendent whom we should contact? If so, please share or email the person’s name and contact information. 

Virtual Focus Group Schedule

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  Families/ Parents/ Caregivers

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93017272242?pwd=FOa1RduAGtoLmnMugvqedkzraXKHcA.1
312-626-6799 US (Chicago) / Meeting ID: 930 1727 2242 / Passcode: 281294

Mon. Oct. 7 -  7:30 am
Mon. Oct. 7 -  4:30 pm
Tues. Oct. 8 -  11:30 am 
Tues. Oct. 8 -  7:00 pm
Wed. Oct. 9 -  7:30 am 
Wed. Oct. 9 -  4:30 pm
Thur. Oct. 10 -  11:30 am
Thur. Oct. 10 -  7:00 pm

  Teachers and Staff

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93017272242?pwd=FOa1RduAGtoLmnMugvqedkzraXKHcA.1
312-626-6799 US (Chicago) / Meeting ID: 930 1727 2242 / Passcode: 281294

Mon. Oct. 14 - 7:30 am
Mon. Oct. 14 - 4:30 pm 
Tues. Oct. 15 - 11:30 am
Tues. Oct. 15  - 7:00 pm
Wed. Oct. 16 - 7:30 am
Wed. Oct. 16 - 4:30 pm
Thur. Oct. 17 - 11:30 am
Thur. Oct. 17 - 7:00 pm

  Community

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93017272242?pwd=FOa1RduAGtoLmnMugvqedkzraXKHcA.1
312-626-6799 US (Chicago) / Meeting ID: 930 1727 2242 / Passcode: 281294

Mon. Oct. 21 - 7:30 am
Mon. Oct. 21 - 4:30 pm
Tues. Oct. 22 - 11:30 am
Tues. Oct. 22 - 7:00 pm
Wed. Oct. 23 - 7:30 am
Wed. Oct. 23 - 4:30 pm
Thur. Oct. 24 - 11:30 am
Thur. Oct. 24 - 7:00 pm

In-Person Focus Group Schedule

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  In-Person Groups

Milwaukee Public Schools Central Services is located at 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208


Sept. 25 - 11:00 am - Interim Superintendent - Eduardo Galvan  - Zoom
Sept. 26 - 1:00 pm - Marva Gill-Herndon - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 1:00 pm - Henry Leonard - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 2:00 pm - Darryl Jackson - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 2:00 pm - Erika Siemsen - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 3:00 pm - Missy Zombor - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 3:00 pm - Megan O’Halloran - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 4:00 pm - Jilly Gokalgandhi - MPS Central Services
Sept. 26 - 4:00 pm - Xela Garcia - MPS Central Services

Fri., Sept. 27

8:00 am - Willie Jude, Sr. (Exec Dir of MPS Foundation) - MPS Foundation
10:30 am - Cavalier Johnson, Milwaukee Mayor - City Hall
1:00 pm - Clarence Nicholas, NAACP President, MKE Chapter - MPS Central Services


Thurs., Oct. 3

10:00 am - Business Community, Work Readiness Partnerships, and University Partners- MPS Central Services
2:00 pm - Business Community, Work Readiness Partnerships, and University Partners - MPS Central Services
4:30 pm- MPS All Staff In-Person #1 - MPS Central Services


Fri., Oct. 4

10:00 am - Elected Officials - MPS Central Services
2:00 pm - Elected Officials - MPS Central Services


Wed., Oct. 9

10:00 am - Central Office Staff In-Person - MPS Central Services
12:00 pm - Student Groups Luncheon (LIT, YES, SAC) - MPS Central Services


Thurs., Oct. 10

10:00 am - Community Groups & Foundations - MPS Central Services
1:00 pm- City Services Representatives - MPS Central Services
5:00 pm - Community Engagement Event Hosted by UniteMKE & UniteWI - St. Ann’s Intergenerational Campus, 2450 W. North Ave


Tues., Oct. 15

9:00 am - David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive - Zoom


Thurs., Oct. 17

2:30 pm - Dr. Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Education - Zoom


Mon., Oct. 21

9:00 am - 4:00 PM - Union Leadership Meetings - MPS Central Services or Zoom
4:30 pm - MPS All Staff In-Person #2 - MPS Central Services


Tues., Oct. 22

10:00 am - MPS Parents/ Caregivers/ Community In-Person - MPS Central Services
4:30 pm - MPS Families/ Students/ Community In-Person - MPS Central Services

Superintendent Candidates

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

Anticipated Search Timeline

December 17, 2024 - Slate of candidates presented to the Board

December 17, 2024 - POSTING EXTENDED

January 11, 2025 (Saturday) - Candidates Review

January 27, 2025 - First Round Interviews
January 28, 2025 - First Round Interviews

January 29, 2025 - Board Deliberations

January 31, 2025 - Finalists Announced

February 6, 2025 - Finalists Day in the District
February 7, 2025 - Finalists Day in the District

TBD 2025 - Board decision following background checks and site visits

July 1, 2025 - Superintendent contract formally begins

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