New Mpls. Superintendent Touring Schools Ahead Of Start Date

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The new superintendent for Minneapolis Public Schools is hitting the ground running.

Ed Graff, a Bemidji native, spent the last 25 years working in Anchorage, Alaska public schools.

After months of twists and turns in the selection process, the school board chose him to lead the district last month.

As the new superintendent for Minneapolis Public Schools, Graff wants students to know he's here, willing to talk and listen anytime.

Graff greeted students with handshakes and conversation as they stepped off the bus at Franklin Middle School. It's the first of two stops Thursday, ahead of his July 1 start date.

"An important part of being a superintendent is knowing what's going on in your schools and so for me it's critical that I'm in the schools, seeing the students in action, seeing the teachers in action," Graff said. "Too often we're asked what's happening and we say 'I think this is what's going on.' I would much prefer to be able to say 'I know this is what's going on and I was out there today.'"

Graff served as a teacher, principal and an administrator in Anchorage before taking the post in Minneapolis.

"The biggest opportunity we have is to address the culture and what those expectations are for our students," Graff said, "the interaction that we have with the community and really taking a look at how we're meeting needs of all students, individually and collectively."

Graff is meeting with school employees, community members and board members. He says he wants to know about their interests, needs and concerns.