Milwaukee Public Schools' new superintendent Brenda Cassellius is stepping into her role with promises to overhaul the district's practices and rally community support in the face of stern challenges. As reported by CBS58, Cassellius, after serving as superintendent of Boston Public Schools and Minnesota's commissioner of education, proclaimed her intention to instigate more transparent hiring processes and a strategic review of MPS' organizational structure.
At her first news conference, Cassellius addressed the critical need for reform, stating, "Everybody deserves the opportunity to be able to show that they are high performing," Cassellius said in a virtual press briefing. "But if they're not -- in key critical positions -- then they either need to move to where there's a better fit or they need to find something else." A recent audit criticized the district for repetitive job roles and a culture of fear, an issue Cassellius is vowing to confront by clarifying roles and expectations within the district, as detailed by CBS58.
In an effort to eliminate concerns over nepotism, Cassellius announced her plans to assemble a hiring panel that includes a diverse mix of individuals from within and outside of MPS. According to WISN 12 News, she seeks to establish "an appearance and make sure that people know and build trust in the process of the people that we hire." She recognizes the burden to regain public confidence after past leadership's struggles and is ready to achieve quick wins to restore trust.
Despite admitting that she "like to meet deadlines, and I always do," the new superintendent acknowledges the possibility of missing an imperative deadline regarding the controversial issue of reintroducing school resource officers in schools, as per Spectrum News 1. The challenge adds to a detailed operational audit, exposing internal and external challenges such as resistance to change and antiquated facilities requiring significant investment to address problems, such as lead contamination.
The MPS Board aims to finalize the new superintendent's contract by late June, indicating that Dr. Cassellius understands the urgency and significance of her task ahead. She conceded, "I know this work is going to be hard," emphasizing the fundamental step of winning over the community. Cassellius told Spectrum News 1, that she must "honor the voices and know the history of the district and get to know the staff" as foundational work towards broader reforms and enhancements in student achievement and district revitalization.
