Eduardo Galvan appointed MPS interim superintendent, despite objections from community and some school board members

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Thursday night, July 25, the MPS board of education appointed Eduardo Galvan interim superintendent, over the vocal objections of community members in the audience.

That move is expected to provide more stability as the district starts the school year under the cloud of the financial mismanagement scandal.

By a 5-2 vote, Galvan is now the interim superintendent of the district.

As the district tries to take another step forward, roughly a dozen people interrupted the meeting to object to how they were doing it.

Galvan's appointment was the biggest item on Thursday's agenda. The district now has a leader in place before the start of classes in September, the latest step after months of damaging revelations, chaotic meetings, and a citywide recall effort.

Neither Galvan nor board members were made available after the meeting, but a prepared statement from board president Marva Herndon said, "The board is confident in Mr. Galvan's leadership to move the district forward as we prepare for the year ahead."

Galvan was one of three candidates interviewed for the interim position. He has served as acting superintendent since the beginning of July, when now-former Superintendent Keith Posley's resignation took effect.

As the district begins a national search for a permanent superintendent, the board statement said, "The district plans to seek input from the community and other MPS stakeholders."

But there was no public comment on the interim superintendent position.

Earlier in the evening, that concern came up almost immediately when people got upset the community was not considered in Galvan's appointment.

Herndon cited the need to move quickly to get a leader in place.

But Angela Harris, chairwoman of the Black Educators Caucus, said from the audience, "This man is going to be the interim for the next year. We should be able to have some say on what that looks like."

Harris led a vocal group that argued they should have a say.

Throughout the meeting, Herndon warned disruptors would be removed, and at one point called, "Security. Would you remove these people, please."

While security stood by, the board went into closed session. And as the board seats sat empty, Harris continued to plead her case to a police officer keeping watch, saying, "They are steadily silencing the community and we are f***ing frustrated."

Harris eventually left the meeting on her own.

But for those who stayed, Galvan's appointment was not the solution many wanted.

The only two board members to stay after the meeting and answer questions were the two who voted against Galvan's appointment.

Board Director Henry Leonard also felt the community should have a say, telling us, "It bothers me. I do believe we need to slow the process down, but we had to. I know we were in a rush; I understand that. But we need to allow the community to give us input."

Director Darryl Jackson agreed.

But Jackson said there was another reason he voted against Galvan: he felt Galvan was not the most qualified candidate.

Jackson told us, "Right now, what was needed is not the person that was chosen, in my opinion."