The Milwaukee Board of School Directors voted unanimously Saturday to retire to closed session to consider applications for the position of superintendent of schools, the board announced at a Jan. 11 special meeting.

Director Ferguson moved to retire into closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 to consider employment data for public employees; Director Simpson seconded the motion. The board took a roll-call vote: Director Ferguson — aye; Director Garcia — aye; Director Gokulcandi (transcript alternatively listed as "Gokul Gandhi") — aye; Director Jackson — aye; Director Leonard — aye; Director O'Halloran — aye; Director Simpson — aye; Director Zomber — aye; President Marva Herndon — aye. The chair announced the motion passed with nine ayes, and the board retired to closed session.

Before the motion, the chair clarified that the board's search team had spent two months holding one-on-one meetings with stakeholders and public engagement sessions, and that the board had extended the application period in December to deepen the candidate pool. The board said it would consider applicants and determine a slate of at least six candidates to invite to first-round interviews; the board said it would not announce the chosen slate at the Jan. 11 meeting. The board anticipated holding first-round interviews later in January and said the names of final candidates would be announced after the slate was narrowed.

The meeting notice and the chair reiterated that public testimony was not being taken at this special meeting; written testimony could be submitted to the office of board governance. The secretary read the call of the meeting and the board then moved to the closed-session item. The board said it may return to open session to take action on matters discussed in closed session; otherwise, it would adjourn from closed session.

No further details about specific applicants, interview dates, or next public meeting dates were provided in open session.