Minnesota Education Commissioner Looking at Minneapolis Job

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton's top education official is in the running to take over Minneapolis Public Schools.

The Star Tribune reported Friday that Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius has applied to be the district's superintendent. She's been in Dayton's cabinet since he took office in 2011.

The education chief for Minneapolis has been a source of controversy. It's been empty since early 2015. A candidate nearly got the job in December until an offer was rescinded due to complaints from a prior employer.

Cassellius says she was approached by a search firm and agreed to apply. She had previously told the Star Tribune about her hopes of taking over the city's public school district.