Sergio Paez, 48, will become the next superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools after winning the support of six of the nine board members. He previously served as the superintendent of Holyoke Public Schools in Massachusetts. Michael Beswick | The Republican 2014
Updated: Dec. 8, 9:47 a.m. | Posted: Dec. 7, 8:46 p.m.
The Minneapolis Board of Education has picked a Massachusetts candidate as the next superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools.
After a nearly 10-month search, the board on Monday selected Sergio Paez. He won the support of six of the nine board members.
• Listen: Paez discusses his goals for Minneapolis schools
"We need someone that can come into our district and show that commitment as well as demonstrate bringing our community together, rebuilding trust and continuing the work that has already begun here," said Board Member Tracine Asberry.
Paez says he will focus on addressing the achievement gap between whites and students of color, and making sure students are safe in schools.
"Safety and the well-being of our students, our teachers and the community is paramount. If students are not ready to learn because of trauma issues, social/emotional issues or safety issues, learning won't happen," he said in an interview with MPR News' Phil Picardi. "So it is a top priority for me to ensure that happens in every single environment."
Paez, 48, will come to Minneapolis from Holyoke Public Schools in Massachusetts, where he served as superintendent from 2013-15. The district — with 11 schools and 5,600 students — is far smaller than Minneapolis, which has about 35,000 students. Previously, he was an assistant superintendent for Worcester Public Schools.
Paez will replace interim Superintendent Michael Goar, who has been leading the district since previous Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson resigned in January.
He left the Holyoke job last summer amid a state takeover of the district, which the Massachusetts board of education declared "chronically under-performing." Its graduation rate was 60 percent in 2014, and it's facing a $3 million deficit.
Paez will face similar challenges in Minneapolis, where the school system is dealing with about the same graduation rate, according to district stats, and a stubborn achievement gap between white students and those of color.
Minneapolis School Board member Carla Bates was one of the three members who did not vote for Paez. At Monday night's meeting she pointed out that his Massachusetts district is largely Hispanic, with African-Americans making up just Minneapolis selects Massachusetts candidate as school superintendent | Minnesota Public Radio