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Duluth Schools Pick New Superintendent

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- The Duluth school board has picked its next superintendent, I.V. Foster of Illinois.

The Duluth News Tribune reports board members say they are impressed with the passion, intelligence and honesty he showed during his meetings with the community.

They say they are also hoping that his previous work narrowing the achievement gap between middle-class and low-income students in his current district would serve Duluth students well.

Foster is currently the superintendent of the K-8 Prairie-Hills school district with 3,200 students in Markham, Ill., south of Chicago.

The Duluth board voted to begin contract negotiations with him on Saturday.

If contract negotiations are successful, the 52-year-old Foster will lead a district of nearly 9,000 students. He would become the district's first black superintendent.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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