2026 Board Vacancy

With the resignation of Director Jim Vue effective February 17, 2026, there will be a vacancy on the school board.  Per MN Statute 123B.09, "Any vacancy on the board, other than a vacancy described in subdivision 4, must be filled by board appointment at a regular or special meeting."

At the January 5, 2026 Committee of the Board Meeting, the Board approved a Resolution Establishing Process for Filling Board Vacancy.

The Board welcomes applications from Saint Paul Residents who care about the well-being of students and want to give back through public service.  The appointed Board member will serve for the remainder of Director Vue's term, which concludes on December 31, 2026.

The full Open Call for Applications, including information about eligibility, time commitments, application requirements, and selection process information, can be found here, as well as below.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  January 30, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must:

• Meet the legal requirements to be elected to the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education
  • At least 21 years of age
  • Resident of the school district for at least 30 days
  • Have not been convicted of an offense for which registration is required under Minn. Statute Section 243.166
  • Not be an employee of Saint Paul Public Schools
  • Not plan to run for election to the school board in the November 2026 election

Time Commitments

Service on the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education requires a significant time commitment, including:

• Two regular Board meetings per month on Tuesday evenings
• An expectation that Tuesday evenings remain available for Board work
• Special meetings scheduled on some evenings and weekends as needed
• Potential committee assignments requiring additional meeting attendance
• Interview at Special Board Meeting on March 10, 2026 at 6:00pm at 360 Colborne
• Board Retreat on Saturday, May 30, 2026
• Participation in graduation ceremonies June 1-3, 2026

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit the following materials to erica.valliant@spps.org:

1. Resume
2. Completed Saint Paul Board of Education Application for Appointment as Board Director Form
3. Letter of Interest (1-2 pages)
   • Explaining why you would like to serve and your ability to meet the time commitments of the role
4. Responses to the following questions (less than 500 words each)
   • Please describe your background and experiences with the Saint Paul community. How would these serve you as a board member?
   • What experiences have you had serving on either private sector or public sector boards, what was your role, and what were your take-aways from that experience? If you haven’t served on a board, what experiences do you have that would prepare you to navigate board service?
   • Describe your understanding of the decision-making process for the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education. How would you react/respond if the majority of the board took an action that you voted against?
   • What values would guide your work as an interim member of the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education?

Under Minnesota Statute 13.601, the following information about applicants is public data:  1) name; 2) city of residence;  3) education and training; 4) employment history; 5) volunteer work; 6) awards and honors; 7) prior government service; and 8) veteran status

Selection Process

The Board's Executive Committee will review all applications and identify two to four finalists based on relevant qualifications, time availability, ability to contribute to Board work, and perspectives that complement the current Board. The full Board will conduct public interviews with all finalists on March 10th before deliberating and voting in that open Board meeting.

Questions

For questions about this opportunity, please contact uriah.ward@spps.org.