Chapter Three >>>>> Leadership of the Minneapolis Public Schools

Ed Graff began his tenure in the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) on 1 July 2016 after a decade and a half in the public school district of Anchorage, Alaska, where he has served as elementary school teacher, elementary school principal, and in several central office positions, including director of elementary education, chief academic officer, and superintendent (academic years 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016).

 

Graff has made numerous staffing changes in the Davis Center (MPS central offices, 1250 West Broadway).  Key members of his leadership staff (frequently referred to as the “cabinet”) as of September 2019 were as follows (job duties as listed on the MPS website follow name and title);  scroll on down for changes made by December 2019:

 

Ed Graff                               Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent

The superintendent of schools is responsible for leading all functions and processes for the school district. The superintendent is charged with working with all internal and external stakeholders to implement and execute core strategies that produce results across the school district. The superintendent sets the academic priorities of the school district and serves as the primary decision-maker and spokesperson for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Cecilia Saddler                                  Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership, and Learning

The Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership and Learning manages operational connections to support associate superintendents, principals and teaching staff in accelerating student achievement and overall school improvement that is aligned to the core values and academic goals of Acceleration 2020.

Eric Moore          Chief of Research, Evaluation, Accountability, and Assessment

The Chief of Academics and Accountability, Research and Equity oversees two departments responsible for ensuring that both academic and student supports are aligned to school needs, that equity is embedded in all academic divisional processes, and that identified district priorities (including equity, literacy, Multi-tiered Systems of Support and Social and Emotional Learning) are clearly articulated and monitored. The Chief provides MPS executives with decision-support through data analysis and interpretation and assures programs are in compliance with Federal, state, and local laws.

Ibrahima Diop                   Chief Financial Officer

                                                                  

The chief financial officer leads the division of Finance, which is responsible for the overall fiscal management of the district. The chief provides leadership, direction and guidance in financial strategies and priorities. The Finance division umbrella includes Accounts Payable, Budget, Payroll, Purchasing, and Student Accounting Departments. Some of the responsibilities covered in these departments are monies for student-generated revenue, legislative allocations, budget accountability, annual budget tie-out process, fiscal auditing as well as grants management.

Maggie Sullivan                               Chief of Human Resources

 

The Chief Human Resources Officer provides leadership for the full scope of functions provided by the Human Resources (HR) Division, including staffing, workforce planning, talent management, compensation, employee & labor relations, equal employment opportunity, benefits, risk management and insurance, professional development, and organizational change; provides advice and counsel on HR issues, interprets bargaining agreements, develops policies and procedures, manages division budgets and functions, and develops MPS human capital strategy to enhance organizational effectiveness.

 

Fadi Fadhil                          Chief Information Officer

The chief information officer is responsible for the Information Technology strategy, computer systems, infrastructure, operations and deploying solutions that align with the district goals and objectives. Areas of focus include innovative use of technology to enhance, accelerate and transform student learning and academic achievement.

Karen Devet                       Chief Operations Officer

The chief operating officer executes the operational priorities of the school district, providing leadership, direction and guidance in operational strategies. The chief oversees key operational functions of the school district including transportation, nutrition services, safety and security, capital planning and construction, maintenance, and operations.

Suzanne Kelly                   Chief of Staff 

The chief of staff advises and supports the superintendent on day-to-day matters and creates a culture of high expectations that result in accelerated student achievement and improved school performance. The chief serves as a liaison between the superintendent and elected officials, stakeholders and MPS families.

 

Amy Moore                        General Counsel

The general counsel provides advice and counsel for the school board and MPS executive management on legal matters concerning the school district. The general counsel represents the school district in legal proceedings, litigation, court appearances, hearings and other disputes. The school district’s lead attorney also manages staff and contract attorneys and oversees policy development for the school district. The general counsel reports to the superintendent and school board.

Associate Superintendents, with schools served in parentheses:

The associate superintendent is responsible for creating and modeling a culture of high expectations and providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to create the necessary conditions that result in dramatic and accelerated student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving overall school performance.

Shawn Harris-Berry   (Edison, FAIR, Henry, Heritage, Longfellow, North, Roosevelt, South, Southwest, Washburn, Wellstone)

 

LaShawn Ray      (Anthony, Anwatin, Field, Franklin, Justice Page, Keewaydin, Lake Harriet Upper, Northeast, Olson, Sanford)

 

Carla Steinbach-Huther  (Edison, Fair, Henry, Heritage, Longfellow, North, Roosevelt, Sanford, South, Southwest, Washburn, Wellstone)

                                                                                               

Ron Wagner  (Andersen, Anishinabe, Bethune, Bryn Mawr, Burroughs, Green Central, Hale, Hall, Jefferson, Jenny Lind, Kenny, Kenwood, Loring, Lucy Laney, Lyndale, Nellie Stone Johnson, Northrop, Pratt, Sullivan, Waite Park)

 

Brian Zambreno  (Armatage, Bancroft, Barton, Cityview, Dowling, Emerson, Folwell, Hiawatha, Hmong International Academy, Howe, Keewaydin, Lake Harriet Lower, Lake Harriet Upper, Marcy, Pillsbury, Seward, Sheridan, Webster, Wenonah, Whittier, Windom)

Rochelle Cox                     Executive Director of Special Education and Health

The Executive Director of Special Education and Health Services provides leadership, direction and guidance to school leaders and department staff. The Executive Director oversees the following academic areas: special education, health services, Section 504 services, school based mental health services, tuition billing, and homebound services.  The Executive Director also supervises and supports a portfolio of special sites including Federal Setting IV programs, Birth to Transition Plus programs and Care and Treatment programs. 

Muhidin Warfa                 Executive Director of English Learners and Global Education

The Executive Director of English Learners and Global Education directs the Multilingual and Global Education department operations to maintain an effective and efficient EL/Global Studies program and assures the effective allocation and utilization of resources. The Executive Director provides leadership, oversight, and accountability to the implementation of the English Learner and bilingual student education policies and programs and assures the consistent interpretation and application of Federal, State and MPS rules and regulations.

Julie Schultz Brown        Executive Director of Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Communications is responsible for providing timely, accurate, relevant information to help families, staff and the community support student success. Housed within the larger Communications, Engagement & External Relations division, the marketing and communications function comprises internal and external communications, branding, media relations, digital and social media, graphic design, and translations/interpretations.

 

In December 2019 Ed Graff ran another configuration of his cabinet of chiefs and executive directors.  On the leadership portal of the MPS website, Muhadin Warfa was dropped from recognition as a top leader and Rochelle Cox was reassigned the title of Associate Superintendent of Special Education and Health.  Cecilia Saddler exited the district early in the 2019-2020 academic year.  Eric Moore, who had a truncated tenure as academic chief, held concomitantly (very briefly as formal head and then officially) with his research and evaluation position, now bears a title (that has had numerous changes) of Accountability, Research, and Equity (RAA).  Fadi Fadhil resigned as Chief of information Technology (IT) in November 2019;  his executive director, Justin Hemmes, is now occupying the interim IT position. There is no listed head of academics;  upon the departure of Saddler, Ed Graff assumed singular head of academics;  Aimee Fearing now leads the Department of Teaching and Learning, but she is not (as Saddler was) listed among the district’s leaders.

 

As of December 2019, the lineup of leaders at the Minneapolis Public Schools is as follows:

Superintendent---  Ed Graff   The superintendent of schools is responsible for leading all functions and processes for the school district. The superintendent is charged with working with all internal and external stakeholders to implement and execute core strategies that produce results across the school district. The superintendent sets the academic priorities of the school district and serves as the primary decision-maker and spokesperson for Minneapolis Public Schools.   Chief of Accountability, Research, and Equity---  Eric Moore The Chief of Academics and Accountability, Research and Equity oversees two departments responsible for ensuring that both academic and student supports are aligned to school needs, that equity is embedded in all academic divisional processes, and that identified district priorities (including equity, literacy, Multi-tiered Systems of Support and Social and Emotional Learning) are clearly articulated and monitored. The Chief provides MPS executives with decision-support through data analysis and interpretation and assures programs are in compliance with Federal, state, and local laws.                                                                                       Chief Financial Officer – Ibrahima Diop The chief financial officer leads the division of Finance, which is responsible for the overall fiscal management of the district. The chief provides leadership, direction and guidance in financial strategies and priorities. The Finance division umbrella includes Accounts Payable, Budget, Payroll, Purchasing, and Student Accounting Departments. Some of the responsibilities covered in these departments are monies for student-generated revenue, legislative allocations, budget accountability, annual budget tie-out process, fiscal auditing as well as grants management.   Chief Human Resources Officer – Maggie Sullivan The Chief Human Resources Officer provides leadership for the full scope of functions provided by the Human Resources (HR) Division, including staffing, workforce planning, talent management, compensation, employee & labor relations, equal employment opportunity, benefits, risk management and insurance, professional development, and organizational change; provides advice and counsel on HR issues, interprets bargaining agreements, develops policies and procedures, manages division budgets and functions, and develops MPS human capital strategy to enhance organizational effectiveness.   Chief Information Officer – Justin Hennes (Interim) The chief information officer is responsible for the Information Technology strategy, computer systems, infrastructure, operations and deploying solutions that align with the district goals and objectives. Areas of focus include innovative use of technology to enhance, accelerate and transform student learning and academic achievement.                                                                             Chief Operations Officer – Karen DeVet  The chief operating officer executes the operational priorities of the school district, providing leadership, direction and guidance in operational strategies. The chief oversees key operational functions of the school district including transportation, nutrition services, safety and security, capital planning and construction, maintenance and operations.   Chief of Staff – Suzanne Kelly The chief of staff advises and supports the superintendent on day-to-day matters and creates a culture of high expectations that result in accelerated student achievement and improved school performance. The chief serves as a liaison between the superintendent and elected officials, stakeholders and MPS families.   General Counsel – Amy Moore The general counsel provides advice and counsel for the school board and MPS executive management on legal matters concerning the school district. The general counsel represents the school district in legal proceedings, litigation, court appearances, hearings and other disputes. The school district’s lead attorney also manages staff and contract attorneys and oversees policy development for the school district. The general counsel reports to the superintendent and school board.                                                                                      Associate Superintendent – Shawn Harris-Berry   The associate superintendent is responsible for creating and modeling a culture of high expectations and providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to create the necessary conditions that result in dramatic and accelerated student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving overall school performance. Schools served:  Edison, FAIR, Henry, Heritage, Longfellow, North, Roosevelt, South, Southwest, Washburn, Wellstone   Associate Superintendent – LaShawn Ray  The associate superintendent is responsible for creating and modeling a culture of high expectations and providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to create the necessary conditions that result in dramatic and accelerated student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving overall school performance. Schools served: Anthon, Anwatin, Field, Franklin, Justice Page, Keewaydin, Lake Harriet Upper, Northeast, Olson, Sanford   Associate Superintendent – Ron Wagner  The associate superintendent is responsible for creating and modeling a culture of high expectations and providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to create the necessary conditions that result in dramatic and accelerated student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving overall school performance. Schools served: Andersen, Anishinabe, Bethune, Bryn Mawr, Burroughs, Green Central, Hale, Hall, Jefferson, Jenny Lind, Kenny, Kenwood, Loring, Lucy Laney, Lyndale, Nellie Stone Johnson, Northrop, Pratt, Sullivan, Waite Park                                                                               Associate Superintendent – Brian Zambreno  The associate superintendent is responsible for creating and modeling a culture of high expectations and providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to create the necessary conditions that result in dramatic and accelerated student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving overall school performance. Schools served: Armatage, Bancroft, Barton, Cityview, Dowling, Emerson, Folwell, Hiawatha, Hmong International Academy, Howe, Lake Harriet Lower, Marcy, Pillsbury, Seward, Sheridan, Webster, Wenonah, Whittier, Windom   Associate Superintendent of Special Education – Rochelle Cox  The Associate Superintendent of Special Education provides leadership, direction and guidance to school leaders and department staff. The Associate Superintendent oversees the following academic areas: special education, health services, Section 504 services, school based mental health services, tuition billing, and homebound services. The Associate Superintendent also supervises and supports a portfolio of special sites including Federal Setting IV programs, Birth to Transition Plus programs and Care and Treatment programs. Schools served: ECSE, Harrison, Metro St. Joe's, River Bend, Stadium View, Transition Plus   Executive Director of Marketing and Communications  – Julie Schultz Brown Marketing and Communications is responsible for providing timely, accurate, relevant information to help families, staff and the community support student success. Housed within the larger Communications, Engagement & External Relations division, the marketing and communications function comprises internal and external communications, branding, media relations, digital and social media, graphic design, and translations/interpretations.