Three finalists have been named in the Boston Public Schools search for a new superintendent – Marie Izquierdo, Brenda Cassellius, and Oscar Santos.
The School Committee announced Wednesday morning that all three finalists will have public interviews next week involving students, parents, educators, community partners, and others. A pool of 150 candidates narrowed to 39, BPS said in a release. The new superintendent will replace interim superintendent Laura Perille.
Izquierdo is the chief academic officer for the Miami-Dade County public schools in Florida. She has worked in education for over 25 years, according to the BPS, as a former principal, regional turnaround director, deputy chief of staff, and assistant superintendent of academics. Izquierdo is scheduled for interviews on Monday, April 22.
Former commissioner of education for Minnesota, Cassellius, will be interviewed on Tuesday, April 23. Cassellius served as the state commissioner from 2011 through an administration change this year, BPS said, highlighting her work on the board of directors for the Council for Chief State School Officers and prior work as a paraprofessional, teacher, administrator, and superintendent in Tennessee and Minnesota.
The only finalist with a local background, Santos is head of school for Cathedral High School in the South End. Santos is a Boston Latin School graduate and previously served as superintendent of the Randolph public schools after more than 10 years working for the Boston Public Schools in various capacities. His interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, April 24.