Minneapolis Schools Superintendent Ed Graff To Leave District

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Ed Graff informed the district's school board Wednesday that he will leave his position at the end of June.

Graff, who has led the district for six years, does not say specifically why he is leaving, but he called the decision difficult, and said he has chosen to pursue other opportunities at this time.

His decision to not accept a third contract, after the board's majority vote to approve its renewal, comes just days after the end of the district's first educators' strike in more than 50 years, which lasted for three weeks.

In his email to board members, Graff says his last day will be Thursday, June 30.

His tenure coincided with the simultaneous challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and George Floyd's murder and subsequent unrest.

"I am so grateful for the work of staff across the district who persevered despite their own grief and trauma during that time. They showed up, met deadlines, found partner resources and supports for our students and families, volunteered to help rebuild the neighborhoods in which our schools reside and so much more," Graff wrote in his statement to the board.

School Board Chair Kim Ellison released a statement on Graff's decision Wednesday afternoon, saying in part: "Always with students as the focus, Superintendent Graff has brought systemic and transformational change to MPS during an extremely challenging time in our history."

Graff's resignation also comes on the heels of a heated school board meeting Tuesday night. A special meeting was called to vote on a school year extension that adds two weeks, in addition to an extra 42 minutes to the end of each school day starting April 11. By the time the board was ready to vote, the crowd took over the meeting, sparking Graff to walk out. The board eventually voted 5 to 2 in favor of the changes, much to the dismay of most in attendance.

District officials say details on the search for a new superintendent will "be shared soon."