Milwaukee board approves employment agreement for Dr. Brenda Cassellius as superintendent

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved an employment agreement for Dr. Brenda Cassellius as superintendent of schools and an addendum concerning interim superintendent Mr. Galvan by an 8-0 vote Tuesday.

Director Gokul Gandhi moved to approve the employment agreement and the addendum; Director O'Halloran seconded. The board voted by roll call with eight ayes; Director Jackson was excused.

Both the employment agreement and the addendum were discussed in closed session under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85 for legal strategy, personnel and bargaining matters, as read into the record when the board moved into closed session. The meeting notice stated that public testimony would not be taken at this special meeting.

After the votes, Board President Marva Herndon read remarks welcoming Dr. Cassellius and thanking the search partner and staff involved in the process. The board specifically thanked Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates and the Office of Board Governance for work on the superintendent search and recognized interim superintendent Mr. Galvan for his service; board remarks said Mr. Galvan accepted the interim role at approximately 3:33 a.m. during the search period.

The public meeting record does not include the detailed terms of Dr. Cassellius's employment agreement or the addendum; specific salary, start date and other contract provisions were not specified in the open record during the meeting.

Dr. Cassellius was invited to the stage after the vote and welcomed by board members; no public comment was taken at the special meeting.