Former Bemidji Resident Appointed Superintendent of Minneapolis School Board

The Minneapolis School Board has chosen former Bemidji resident and Anchorage Superintendent Ed Graff as its next leader.

Graff was born and raised in Bemidji, attended a year of college at Bemidji State University, but has lived in Alaksa since 1987.

He completed his bachelor’s degree at University of Alaska Anchorage, and earned a master’s degree in education administration from University of Southern Mississippi.

He began as a teacher in 1991 at an elementary school in Anchorage. In 2008, he was named executive director of Elementary Education. He was appointed superintendent in 2013.

In a 6-3 vote, the 11-member board selected Graff over Brenda Cassellius, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education of five years.

On-going negotiations are in place but Graff is expected to take on his new role in July.