Thankful

Last night the Saint Paul School Board selected Valeria Silva for their next superintendent. Valeria has worked in Saint Paul for more than 20 years and has been nationally recognized for her work with ELL students. She recently completed training with the Broad Foundation which prepares individuals to lead urban school districts. Valeria will serve Saint Paul well.

At the end of a two-hour interview last Thursday, the SPPS School Board asked if I wished to make a statement or ask a question. I chose to make a statement. My statement expressed gratitude to the NBAPS School Board, union leaders and staff for their support of me during the process. I stated that it is very difficult for a sitting superintendent's district during such a public process and that I am especially grateful for the support granted me.

I remain thankful for working in this district and look forward to continuing to serve our staff, students and community.

As with previous posts, Supe of the Day will not accept comments on this issue.

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Minnesota doing great

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota ranks among the best state education systems in the country. Follow the link and click on Minnesota to read the report card.

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An important message

As has been reported by Twin Cities media, I have been selected as a semi-finalist for superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, and am honored at the selection. Out of respect for the St. Paul Board of Education though, comments beyond that would be inappropriate.

As well, Supe of the Day will not publish comments on this subject. I appreciate your understanding.

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The root cause

There is an excellent editorial in the Fergus Falls journal today, on the tragic school funding inequities:

Several years ago, the Legislature transferred the largest burden of public school funding from local governments, paid through property taxes, to the state government, financed by income and sales taxes, on a per-pupil basis. The idea was to level the playing field among public schools. The quality of a public school district, the theory held, should not be determined by the value of properties within it.

However, in making the change, the new funding system left a loophole: allowing school districts to conduct levy referenda to obtain additional funding through property taxes. Combined with shrinking state funding, it has widened the gap between the haves and have-nots.

Several years later, we have the exact opposite of what was intended. The state has increasingly relied on local levies to do what it promised to do: adequately fund school districts.

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Moving forward

District Residents,

The results of last night's operating levy (results below) are indeed disappointing. The tally does not reflect the hard work of SOS Committee co-chairs Barb Mork and Charley Klopp, nor the many other community and staff members who supported the district's levy efforts. We are grateful these individuals courageously answered the call to advocacy.

The district must now begin to prepare for additional budget cuts. We will keep you informed throughout the process.

Our mission at NBAPS remains the same and I am confident we will continue to partner with families and communities to challenge all students to achieve their greatest potential and become informed citizens.

Always keeping that mission in mind, district staff will move forward and continue to do what we can with what we have.

Sincerely,

Deb Henton Ed.D.
Superintendent

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What now?

As most of you probably know by now, the levy has failed.

Thanks to all of the people who worked so hard to get the district's message into the community. Regardless of result, your dedication and passion was inspiring.

Now, we must do more than ever to make change at the state level. Our kids' future, and the future of this community, depend on it.

We must have funding equity for our students.

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