St. Paul hears from 2 superintendent finalists

The St. Paul school board will interview its two superintendent finalists Thursday. St. Paul parents and community members had a chance to hear from those candidates at a community meeting Wednesday night.

About 260 people filled the Washington Technology Magnet school cafeteria to hear from current Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Superintendent Joe Gothard and Philadelphia schools chief academic support officer Cheryl Logan. Gothard and Logan gave prepared introductions and answered four questions drawn from the district's earlier feedback sessions and community survey.

Gothard talked about unity — a salient message, as this search follows the St. Paul board's contentious firing of former superintendent Valeria Silva last June. Gothard described starting as a suburban superintendent in 2013.

"I felt that there was a community in need of coming together. There was a community who didn't know its own identity. ... We started and developed a process for community partnerships where we are now seeing the benefits each and every day," he said.

Gothard was previously a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in the Madison, Wis., school district.

Logan highlighted her teaching experience as well.

"I am a teacher first," she said.

Logan was also a principal in Maryland before moving to Philadelphia in 2013.

Logan mentioned experience combating budget troubles and achievement gaps in her big-city district. But she really drew applause with a line about technology.

"There is no instructional material or personal electronic device that can match a highly skilled and effective teacher in the classroom. And actually, the two are not mutually exclusive," she said.

Parent Joshua Wilkes said Logan's advocacy experience stood out in what he called a tough political climate for public schools.

"It seems to me that we're entering a contentious phase, and that we're going to need advocates, we're going to need fighters," Wilkes said.

St. Paul junior Kalen Olive found Gothard's background relatable. Gothard told the audience he grew up with a black father and a white mother and struggled with identity.

"With his presence of being a minority, being a mixed student growing up in pretty much a white school — I understand that a lot going through what I've gone through," Olive said.

Olive said Logan "brought out more of the things that I want to do when I grow up — teaching students how to teach teachers and getting that student-teacher relationship stronger than it is now."

Attendees turned in written impressions of the candidates that the board will use to help make its decision. Board members plan to visit each finalist's current school district next week and choose a new superintendent April 11.