Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

Former Minneapolis superintendent reacts to Ed Graff's resignation

Minneapolis schools superintendent Johnson
Minneapolis Schools' superintendent Bernadeia Johnson took part in the swearing in of new school board members in Minneapolis, Minn. Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2010
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Less than a week after settling a teachers strike, Minneapolis Public Schools will now need to start the process of finding a new leader. Superintendent Ed Graff announced yesterday he's leaving after his contract expires at the end of June.

In a letter to the school board, he said it was a difficult decision but that it was time to "pursue other opportunities." Graff has spent six years as Minneapolis superintendent.

Bernadeia Johnson, PhD., made a similar decision to step aside as Minneapolis Schools Superintendent back in 2014. She is now a professor in the college of education at MSU-Mankato. She joined host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the district’s leadership transition.

Graff declined to speak with MPR News.

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