Minneapolis school board picks Ed Graff as next superintendent

The Minneapolis school board has named Anchorage School District superintendent Ed Graff as the new superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools. 

The board chose Graff over Brenda Cassellius, commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Education, by a vote of 6-3 Tuesday night. A search committee chose announced the two as finalists on May 13. The board hopes to finalize a contract for Graff by Friday. 

Graff is a Minnesota native with more than 25 years of experience as an educator. He has a master's degree in education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi and a bachelor's in elementary education from the University of Alaska-Anchorage. 

Starting June 1, Chief of Schools Michael Thomas will serve as interim superintendent until the new superintendent takes over.