Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) superintendent search has reached its final stages, with three candidates set to engage with the community on Thursday, February 6. The public is invited to participate in two sessions at MPS Central Services, located at 5225 W. Vliet St., from 1:00 to 3:45 p.m. and again from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m.

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors revealed the finalists on January 31. They are Dr. Brenda Cassellius, former superintendent for Boston Public Schools; Dr. Joshua Starr, former superintendent for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland; and Dr. Andraé Townsel, current superintendent for Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland.

These candidates will spend two days within the district, engaging in interviews with the board and visiting schools while meeting stakeholders.

Community meetings will take place in the auditorium at Central Services. The schedule is as follows:

- From 1:00 – 1:45 p.m., Dr. Brenda Cassellius

- From 2:00 – 2:45 p.m., Dr. Joshua Starr

- From 3:00 – 3:45 p.m., Dr. Andraé Townsel

After a break:

- From 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., Dr. Brenda Cassellius

- From 6:30 – 7:15 p.m., Dr. Joshua Starr

- From 7:30 – 8:15 p.m., Dr. Andraé Townsel

Dr. Tina Owen-Moore, Board Clerk, will introduce each candidate who will then share their vision and goals for MPS's future direction.

Questions from attendees will be moderated by leaders from HYA, the firm managing the superintendent search process.

Following each session, attendees can provide feedback using a QR code available in the auditorium—aiding the board's decision-making process.

Further inquiries can be directed to the MPS Office of Board Governance at (414) 475-8284 or governance@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

The board aims to announce Milwaukee's new superintendent by late February or early March after reviewing over fifty applications and narrowing it down to these three finalists.