MPS Superintendent Chosen to Lead National Coalition of Urban School Systems

Dr. Darienne Driver elected as chair of the Council of Great City Schools Board of Directors, a policymaking body of the nation's primary coalition of large urban public school systems

By Milwaukee Public Schools - Jun 28th, 2017 03:32 pm

Dr. Darienne Driver

Dr. Darienne Driver, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, becomes chair of the Council of the Great City Schools‘ Board of Directors for a one-year term effective July 1.

She will preside over the policymaking body of the nation’s primary coalition of large urban public school systems, succeeding Felton Williams, a school board member of California’s Long Beach Unified School District.

“I am humbled to take on this leadership position to help serve our country’s young people in urban public school systems,” said Driver. “This is a critical time for public education and I look forward to continuing the important work of the Council of Great City Schools.”

The 136-member board is composed of the superintendent and one school board member from each of the 68 big-city school districts represented by the Council.

Superintendent Driver moves up to the chair post after serving as chair-elect. That position will now be assumed by Lawrence Feldman, a school board member of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Rounding out the Council’s 2017-18 leadership team will be Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, who has been elected to the secretary-treasurer post that was held by Feldman. Gordon was deemed the Council’s 2016 Urban Educator of the Year by his peers.

“With energy and experience, the Council’s board is in capable hands with Dr. Driver and her leadership team. Our urban school reforms and improvements will continue to advance under their guidance,” says Council Executive Director Michael Casserly, who is beginning his 41st year with the coalition and completing 25 years at the helm.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

Mentioned in This Press Release

People: Darienne Driver

Government: Milwaukee Public Schools

Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Public Schools

MPS Estimates Adding Nearly 90 More Teachers in 2026-27 as District Works to Manage, Reduce Class Size

Apr 13th, 2026 by Milwaukee Public Schools

Investments in Classrooms Come as School District Outlines Details to Address $46 Million Deficit

MPS Supporting Employees Receiving Excess Letters as Part of Non-Classroom Reductions

Mar 25th, 2026 by Milwaukee Public Schools

Board-Approved Reductions Provide $30 Million in Savings to Help Protect Classrooms and Close $46 Million Budget Gap

MPS Proposes Reducing About 260 Non-Classroom Positions and Redeploying Resources to Classrooms

Mar 6th, 2026 by Milwaukee Public Schools

Reductions part of a solution to reduce $46 million structural budget gap

You must be an Urban Milwaukee member to leave a comment. Membership, which includes a host of perks, including an ad-free website, tickets to marquee events like Summerfest, the Wisconsin State Fair and the Florentine Opera, a better photo browser and access to members-only, behind-the-scenes tours, starts at $9/month. Learn more.

Join now and cancel anytime.

If you are an existing member, sign-in to leave a comment.

Have questions? Need to report an error? Contact Us