BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — After a year-long search, Boston Public Schools has a new leader.
In a 5-2 vote, the Boston School Committee selected to appoint former Minnesota’s Commissioner of Education Dr. Brenda Cassellius as their next Superintendent Wednesday.
Cassellius began her career as a paraprofessional who moved up the teaching ranks in that state and in Tennessee before ultimately being appointed to oversee Minnesota schools for nine years.
During her tenure in Minnesota she is credited for bringing comprehensive education reforms, including historic new funding for schools, enactment of all-day kindergarten, state-funded preschool for 25,000 children, and historically high graduation rates.
She tells WBZ NewsRadio that she plans on taking over July 1.
“I am super excited to join the parents, students and community and really moving Boston forward,” she said.
In her first 100 days Cassellius said she plans to engage the community and taking a deep-dive into what is working and what isn’t working in Boston Public Schools and develop a plan that she described that is owned by everyone.
Cassellius succeeds Tommy Chang who resigned after three years in June of 2018.
Laura Perille, a head of an education related non-profit, was interim Superintendent during the School Committee search and plans to assist in helping Cassellius transition into her new role.
"We congratulate her on this accomplishment. We will work together to fully support her as she prepares to lead the work of ensuring that all of our 55,000 students receive a high-quality education,” Perille said
Mayor Marty Walsh welcomed the news saying that the city investing in a proven leader.
“The role of Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools is one of the most important and difficult jobs in the city,” Walsh said. “I’m pleased that the Boston School Committee selected someone with deep experience improving educational outcomes for students, and I congratulate Dr. Cassellius for her selection.”
WBZ NewsRadio’s Nichole Davis (@NicholeDWBZ) reports.