ISD 191 board selects Dr. Latanya Daniels as lone finalist for superintendent, offer contingent on background check and contract talks

The Independent School District 191 Board of Education voted unanimously May 7 to extend an offer to Dr. Latanya Daniels to become the district’s next superintendent, with the offer contingent on a clear background check and completion of contract negotiations.

The board’s decision followed second-round interviews of three finalists and a deliberation in which members compared candidates’ strengths on instructional leadership, community engagement and district-level budget and facilities experience. Board members and the district’s executive search consultant emphasized that reference checks and background-screening reports were completed and raised no concerns.

Barb Dorn, executive search consultant with the Minnesota School Boards Association, told the board that the background checks “have all come back” and that she had “saw no concerns at all in the background checks.” Dorn also described the E-M-D (exceeds, meets, disappoints) scoring reports available to board members to aid deliberations.

Board members praised all three finalists — identified in the interviews as Becky Bridal, Dr. Tyrone Brookens and Dr. Latanya Daniels — but said different strengths separated them. Several directors noted that Bridal brought extensive district-level budget experience and had led large budget reductions in past work; one reference cited her role leading a district through $15,000,000 in cuts. Other directors said Brookens showed strong interpersonal engagement and a student-centered, visual approach to communicating strategy.

Supporters of Dr. Daniels highlighted her “human-first” leadership style, experience across multiple roles in K–12 settings, and concrete plans for onboarding and staff retention. Directors said Daniels’ references emphasized that she holds staff accountable without micromanaging and that she builds trust and transparency. One director summarized the choice as between two strong finalists and said Daniels’ mix of instructional focus, relationship-building and accountability best matched the board’s leadership profile.

Director Hume made the motion to extend an offer to Daniels, saying, “I would like to make a motion that we extend an offer to doctor Latanya Daniels to be the next superintendent of Independent School District 1 91, pending background check and contract negotiations and any other fine print that I may have forgotten to say.” Director Alt seconded the motion. Chair Webb called for the vote: “All those in favor say, aye. Aye. Opposed, nay. The motion carries unanimously.”

The board instructed staff and the MSBA consultant to notify the other two finalists and to prepare communications. Dorn said MSBA would contact the other candidates that evening and would send a press release to the district’s communications lead for release per district protocols. The board also was reminded to turn in interview notes, E-M-D forms and reference notes to the district for recordkeeping.

Board members discussed contract details before adjournment, including whether to offer a moving-reimbursement allowance that appeared in the prior superintendent’s contract. A staff member (Rachel) read the prior contract language aloud as an example: “The district will reimburse the superintendent in an amount not to exceed, $6,000 for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred moving a residence located moving to a residence located within the district's geographic boundaries provided the move occurs before January.” Board members agreed they could offer such a reimbursement and would confirm contract language with the district human-resources/business staff (Stacy) before the written offer is sent.

The district’s consultant and staff described next steps: MSBA will contact the other finalists, the district will circulate a draft contract to the selectee, and the board will finalize the employment contract and any remaining conditions before the candidate is publicly listed as hired. Board members also noted that recorded interviews will remain available on the district’s YouTube channel until the board approves the final superintendent employment contract.

The board recessed briefly so members could notify the selectee before adjourning and scheduled follow-up transition work with the MSBA in the fall.