ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton’s top education official is in the running to take over Minneapolis Public Schools.

Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius has applied to be the district’s superintendent. She has been in Dayton’s cabinet since he took office in 2011.

The education chief for Minneapolis has been a source of controversy. It has 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 A candidate nearly got the job in December until an offer was rescinded due to complaints from a prior employer.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 said she was approached by a search firm and agreed to apply. She had previously stated her hopes of taking over the city’s public school district.