Article #1 in a Series >>>>> Dramatic Changes at the Minneapolis Public Schools

Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox’s Cabinet

Numerous changes have taken place at the cabinet level of the Minneapolis Public Schools during the months of July and August 2022, corresponding to the first two months of Rochelle Cox’s tenure as interim superintendent.  

 The current cabinet membership is given as follows, succeeded by my comments on the individuals placed at each position    >>>>>

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Rochelle Cox  (Interim Superintendent)

Shawn Harris-Berry  (Senior Officer of Schools)

Aimee Fearing  (Senior Officer of Academics)

Ibrahima Diop  (Senior Officer of Finance and Operation)

Candra Bennett  (Senior Officer of Human Resources)

Justin Hennes  (Senior Officer of Information Technology)

Amy Moore   (General Counsel)

Yusuf Abdullah  (Associate Superintendent)

Laura Cavender  (Associate Superintendent)

Eric Thomas         (Associate Superintendent)

Michael Walker    (Associate Superintendent)

Sarah Hunter        (Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives)

Derek Francis       (Executive Director of Equity and School Climate)

Tyrize Cox             (Executive Director of Engagement and External Relations)

Julie Schultz Brown     (Executive Director of Communications and Marketing)

Josh Downham      (Lobbyist)

Ryan Strack           (Assistant to the Superintendent and Board)

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Comment #1

Rochelle Cox is dedicated to academically substantive education, has 25 years of experience at the Minneapolis Public Schools, made many favorable changes as head of special education at the district, has an exquisite demeanor that is both decisive and calm, and is widely admired at the district:  She has a chance to become a uniquely successful leader of a locally centralized school district.

Comment #2 

Ibrahima Diop is the crown jewel of this cabinet, among the three top preK-12 financial officers in the United States.

Justin Hennes is a very fine information technology professional and another jewel of the cabinet.

Derek Francis seems a particularly good addition to the new Minneapolis Public Schools cabinet, an energetic young man with great dedication to the delivery of educational excellence to students of all demographic descriptors.

Michael Walker is an unusual case, a multitalented person who was an excellent Dean of Students at Roosevelt High School but a failure as leader of the Office of Black Student Achievement;  with a chance now to focus on the new knowledge-intensive approach to academics overseen by Interim Superintendent Cox as delivered to the high schools, Walker may have regained a position that will allow his talents to shine.

Comment #3

Candra Bennett, Amy Moore, Tyrize Cox, Julie Schultz Brown, Josh Downham, and Ryan Strack are all solid professionals at their positions.

Comment #4

Aimee Fearing is quickly adapting to the academic direction articulated by Rochelle Cox;  Sarah Hunter also is taking to that direction with alacrity. 

Comment #5

In addition to Walker, two of the three associate superintendents seem promising:   LauraCavender is a highly dedicated educator who now has a chance to implement an academically substantive program;  Eric Thomas is new to the district, bringing business savvy to his current task now of implementing knowledge-intensive education in the elementary schools.

Shawn Harris Berry and Yusuf Abdullah have much to prove in their current positions:  Harris Berry was a failure as principal at North High School and in her previous role as associate superintendent of schools (responsibility for High schools);  as principal at Henry High School, Abdullah discouraged students from taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, an unconscionable action for which he must atone quickly in a reversal of course so as to support objective measurement and substantive academics.