Interim Superintendent Michael Goar met with dozens of parents from Green Central Community School on Friday night, less than two hours after taking over as head of Minneapolis schools.
The parents gathered at a small community center on Chicago Avenue to express frustration. The Minneapolis School District does not seem to listen to immigrant parents, they said.
"I'm here because I care. I want to hear your worries and thoughts," Goar said. "I am also an immigrant, and as an immigrant I understand your pain."
Goar served as former Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson's chief executive and now steps into a role that he wants to keep permanently. He takes over at a challenging time for the district, which is dogged by a persistent and gaping achievement gap between white and nonwhite students. Goar must lead the district, at least temporarily, as school officials are still reeling from Johnson's sudden departure midway through the school year.
In his first interview since assuming his new role, Goar said he will bring some major changes to the district immediately. In just three weeks, he plans to downsize the central office staff. He will create concrete improvement plans for some of the district's most struggling schools and he will begin meeting with parents who he said have been marginalized.
"My career path has led up to a superintendency," Goar said. "It's a calling, and I love this school district because I know what is possible."
Jenny Arneson, the new school board chairwoman, said Goar will bring stability and continuity to the district during a transition phase that can often be difficult for school districts.
"We want people to remain stable for the remainder of the year," Arneson said.