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Saint Paul Public Schools, District 625
360 Colborne Street
Saint Paul
MN
55102

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Superintendent Search

The Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent to lead SPPS. The Board hired executive search firm BWP & Associates to assist in hiring the next superintendent and hired Dr. John Thein to serve as Interim Superintendent. The Board is committed to hearing from people across our community throughout the search process.

Superintendent Search Timeline

*the following dates are subject to change
Date Update
Feb. 26, 2024 Dr. Joe Gothard was selected as the next leader at Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin.
April 3, 2024 Committee of the Board Meeting: The Board of Education approved an amendment to the end date of Superintendent Gothard's contract and approved a contract with Dr. John Thein to serve as Interim Superintendent .
May 2, 2024 The Board of Education posted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids from executive search firms. The RFP was open for 30 days.
May 20, 2024 Dr. John Thein began his role as Interim Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools.
June 4, 2024 Proposals for the executive search firm RFP closed. The Superintendent Search team comprised of Board and district leaders evaluated all bids.
July 9, 2024 Special Meeting of the Board: The Board interviewed three executive search firms and selected BWP & Associates to assist in hiring the next full-time superintendent. A recording of the meeting can be found here.
Aug. 7, 2024

Committee of the Board Meeting: BWP & Associates presented a 6-month search timeline to the Board and discussed community engagement methods. Meeting materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found here.

 
Sept. 3, 2024 BWP & Associates started recruiting and providing application information to potential superintendent candidates.
Sept. 23-Oct. 2, 2024

Community Engagement Activities:

  • September 23-October 2: An online survey was available to all community members.
  • September 30-October 1: BWP hosted in-person and virtual stakeholder meetings with various staff groups, community organizations, high school students, PACs, and community forums open to the public.
Oct. 8, 2024 Committee of the Board Meeting: BWP & Associates will report the results from the community engagement activities and present a leadership profile of the characteristics the SPPS community would like to see in the next superintendent. The leadership profile will be used to evaluate all superintendent candidates.
Nov. 5, 2024 Deadline for superintendent candidate applications.
Nov. 2024
  • BWP will review all superintendent applicants and select the candidates for the first round interviews.
  • The Superintendent Search Task Force will be formed, including Board members and various members of the SPPS community.
Early Dec. 2024

The Superintendent Search Task Force will conduct first-round interviews.
Dec. 10, 2024

Regular Meeting of the Board: The Superintendent Search Task Force will present the top candidates to the Board.
Dec. 16-19, 2024 The Board will interview the top candidates at public meetings.
Dec. 20, 2024

The Board will deliberate on the final candidates and announce the new superintendent.
Jan. 2025 The Board will approve the superintendent contract and announce the new superintendent's start date.

 

Superintendent Search Updates