Milwaukee board names three finalists for superintendent after closed session

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Jan. 31, 2025, voted to retire to closed session and then designated Dr. Brenda Casilias, Dr. Joshua Starr and Dr. Andre Townsheil as finalists for superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, President Marva Herndon said.

The special meeting, called by President Marva Herndon and held at the district’s Central Services Building, moved to closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for discussion of employment candidates; the board noted that public testimony would not be taken. Director Ferguson made the motion to retire to closed session and Director Simpson seconded it; the motion passed on a roll call vote with eight ayes and one excused member.

After returning to open session, Director Zomber moved that the board designate Dr. Brenda Casilias, Dr. Joshua Starr and Dr. Andre Townsheil as finalists for superintendent; Director Garcia seconded the motion. The motion passed on roll call with eight ayes and one excused, President Herndon said.

President Herndon announced the next steps for the search. On Feb. 6 the finalists will participate in “days in the district,” during which they will tour schools and meet stakeholder groups. The board will hold two public sessions on Feb. 6 in the Central Services auditorium: the first from 1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and the second from 5:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Each finalist will have 45 minutes at each session to present a vision for the district and answer questions submitted by attendees; after each session attendees will be given a QR code to provide feedback to the board. The board will conduct final interviews at a special meeting on Feb. 7.

The meeting notice, as read at the start of the session, said the special meeting was to consider candidates presented by Hazard Young & Associates and that the meeting would be broadcast on WYMS Radio 88.9 FM, Time Warner Spectrum Channel 13 and via the MPS livestream and YouTube stream. Materials and the superintendent search page on the MPS website contain further details, the board said.

There was no public comment at the special meeting. The board adjourned after announcing the schedule for district visits and public sessions.