Superintendent Announces Administrative Changes to MPS Central Office

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius today announced organizational changes to the MPS central office, a restructuring that will better align staffing to accelerate academic outcomes for students, improve operational effectiveness and accountability across the district, and bring MPS closer toward a goal of being one of the best places to work in Milwaukee.

Under the new administrative structure, the superintendent will strengthen her leadership team by adding new cabinet positions, including a chief of Family, Community, and Partnerships, and two Deputy Superintendents. Superintendent Cassellius presented her administrative chart to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors during a special meeting on Tuesday, May 13.

“MPS has incredible talent working in our central office and in our schools, and a realignment of how we are structuring our leadership team will help ensure our students are getting all they need and deserve,” said Dr. Cassellius. “The leadership team structure will enhance MPS’s ability to serve our students and families by streamlining our internal reporting structure and clearly defining our strategic priorities moving forward. Our students deserve the very best and I am confident the team we are putting together will be able to deliver for them.”

In line with the new administrative structure, Superintendent Cassellius announced the appointment of Eduardo Galván as Deputy Superintendent, a role he will serve in until his retirement in late 2025.

“I’m greatly appreciative of Mr. Galván’s long-term service to our students and for his commitment to our district,” said Dr. Cassellius. “He has been an invaluable partner to me as I get underway here, and I am truly grateful he has agreed to stay with us longer than he originally planned to help ensure a strong start to the 2025-2026 school year.”

Superintendent Cassellius also announced the appointment of Michael Harris as Chief of Staff; Paulette Chambers as Chief Advisor to the Superintendent, Jennifer Mims-Howell as Chief Academic Officer, and Aycha Sawa as Chief Financial Officer. The district has launched a robust recruitment effort to identify talent for other critical roles including Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Communications Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Schools Officer, and Chief Family, Community, and Partnerships Officer.

“Superintendent Cassellius is taking bold, thoughtful steps to move MPS forward with students and families at the center of every decision,” said MPS Board of School Directors President Missy Zombor. “Ensuring our central office team is structured in the right way and that our schools have the talent and resources they need will give us powerful momentum as we plan for the next school year and beyond. MPS is a district on the move.”

Many of the changes announced today reflect feedback from staff, community members, and partners on what changes will best position MPS for success. The superintendent also used information contained in the operational audit commissioned by Governor Tony Evers’ administration to outline the staffing needs for the district.

In line with the Superintendent’s vision to direct more resources from central office directly to schools, the elimination of 31 positions in several central office departments was also announced Tuesday. Of the 31 eliminated positions, 12 are being repurposed to focus on academics, resulting in a total of 19 eliminated positions.

Superintendent Cassellius also announced a restructuring of how principals across the district will be supported and supervised, moving from a regional model of supervisors to eight academic superintendents who will oversee schools across the district to specifically focus on instructional leadership, leading to improved student outcomes.

“I believe MPS is an important piece of the puzzle for our region’s long-term success,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “As an MPS parent and alumnus, I want our students to have the tools to get ahead and thrive. We know that sustained change and improvement will require making hard decisions that put students and families at the forefront. I’m pleased to support Superintendent Cassellius as she puts her team in place and lays out her strategic vision for MPS.”

“As a graduate and as a parent of MPS, the success of our schools is as personal to me as it is to anyone in our community,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “MPS has great potential, and putting the right people in the right roles will help the district and Superintendent Cassellius deliver on that promise with the urgency it deserves. I am encouraged by the changes I see happening at MPS and look forward to what is on the horizon. A new day is needed for MPS and the City of Milwaukee is committed to the district’s success.”

The new administrative structure, including staffing appointments, will take effect July 1, 2025.

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.