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72-year-old Mary Mackbee is one of the best-known school principals in Minnesota. She's been at the helm of St. Paul Central High School for more than two decades. 

St. Paul Central is the oldest public high school in Minnesota, and today it's one of the most diverse in the state.

This past year, Central faced the emotional trauma of two student deaths, and it made headlines for the 

As she heads into her 24th year, Mackbee MPR News host joined Tom Weber to talk about education, her work, and how Central is doing on the heels of a rough year.

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72-year-old Mary Mackbee is one of the best-known school principals in Minnesota. She's been at the helm of St. Paul Central High School for more than two decades.

72-year-old Mary Mackbee has been the principal of St. Paul Central High School for more than two decades. She's helped shape the school into one of the city's most diverse and popular high schools, a school where 92 percent of students - and 80 percent of black students - graduate. MPR News host Tom Weber spoke to Mackbee about the driving force in her life, and what makes her want to continue this work when most people might retire. 8/16/16

St. Paul Central's principal reflects on more than 20 years in her role

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