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Milwaukee Public Schools Acting Superintendent Darienne Driver has appointed MPS Comptroller Erbert Johnson to serve as Chief of Staff — and veteran administrator Ruth Maegli will serve as Acting Chief Innovation Officer, effective July 1.
Johnson, who has more than 30 years of financial services and administrative experience in both the public and private sectors, oversaw accounting services, payroll and bond issuance for the district in his role as comptroller. He also serves on the board of the Froedtert Hospital Foundation and recently completed a term on the governing board of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Johnson came to MPS in 2013 after working in the private-sector for eight years, including five years as President and CEO of NMSBank. Prior to his private-sector work, he served as chief financial officer for Milwaukee Public Schools and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
Johnson plays a key leadership role as chief of staff for the district and its 160 schools. His financial background and experience in the business and foundation communities strongly complements Dr. Driver’s background in instruction and school administration.
“As someone who spent his entire K-12 educational career in Milwaukee Public Schools, it is an incredible honor to be able to use my skills and talents to serve the children of this community, many of whom are the sons and daughters of my family and friends,” said Johnson, who attended LaFollete School and graduated from Milwaukee Tech High School, now Harry and Lynde Bradley Technology and Trade School.
Maegli has worked as a teacher, principal and district administrator in MPS for more than 25 years, most recently directing the district’s $20.4-million GE Foundation grant to develop demonstration schools that model successful implementations of the rigorous Common Core State Standards for other schools in the district. Prior to that work, she spent more than 11 years as a principal in MPS, leading Elm, Garland and Whittier schools. Maegli began her career as an art teacher in the district, working at schools including 81st Street, Engleburg and Siefert.
As acting chief innovation officer, Maegli will take on the role Dr. Driver held prior to being named acting superintendent. MPS’ chief innovation officer oversees the district’s charter schools, its research efforts and the GE grant work along with the Commitment Schools effort to transform 14 underperforming MPS schools.
“I am looking forward to working in a district leadership role to use innovative approaches to improve education at all schools and improve achievement for all students,” said Maegli, who is also a product of MPS. She graduated from MPS’ Alexander Hamilton High School.
