Minneapolis schools have a new leader

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minneapolis School Board has settled on a new superintendent after a protracted search.

The board voted to hire Ed Graff, the superintendent of Anchorage Public Schools in Alaska. State Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius was the other finalist for the position. The school board’s decision Tuesday night caps a 16-month search.

Graff still has to negotiate a contract, but should be on the job by July.

Graff has been the Anchorage superintendent for three years. The district’s school board decided not to renew his contract, citing a need to meet aggressive academic goals. His extended contract in Alaska runs through June.

The Minneapolis superintendent’s job pays $190,000 a year.