Be Aware of Significant Changes in Minneapolis Public Schools Leadership Structure and Composition as Academic Year 2018-2019 Commences

Significant changes in Minneapolis Public leadership structure and composition have taken place since the end of academic year 2017-2018. 

As new academic year 2018-2019 opens, former Chief of Academics, Leadership, and Learning Michael Thomas has departed for the position of Superintendent in one of the school districts in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  No one has replaced Thomas under the given title.  Cecilia Saddler has maintained her title as Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership, and Learning;  she is now listed at the leadership portal of the Minneapolis Public Schools website at the physical slot formerly indicating Thomas.  In the Deputy role, she continues as head of the Department of Teaching and Learning. 

 

In the course of the last two years, two highly paid academic leadership positions have been eliminated:  Two years ago, Susanne Griffin held the position of Chief Academic Officer, effectively taken over by Thomas (under the title of Chief of Academic, Leadership, and Learning) upon her induced departure;  serving under Griffin had been Macarre Traynham, who bore the title of Executive Director of Teaching and Learning.  Now there is now in academics neither a Chief nor an Executive Director position:  Saddler has assumed most of the responsibilities of both of those positions as Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership, and Learning.  The savings for the district is just under $300,000 with the elimination of the two positions.

 

Also eliminated is one of the Associate Superintendent positions.  Neither Laura Cavender nor Lucilla Davila, who during academic year 2017-2018 occupied two of those positions, are with the Minneapolis Public Schools as academic year 2018 2019 opens.  One of the positions has been nixed:  Brian Zambreno, formerly an administrator in the Richfield Public Schools, is one of two superintendents with responsibility for K-8 schools.  Ron Wagner is back with much of his former profile of schools;  he has a few new schools for which he is directly responsible, with many of the schools formerly under the supervision of Cavender and Davila now in Zambreno’s profile.  Carla Steinbach continues to supervise programs at the high school level.  Supervision for the associate superintendents fundamentally means mentoring principals and ensuring implementation of districtwide academic programing at specific sites.

Here are those occupying positions in top leadership for the Minneapolis Public Schools, with accompanying official job responsibilities, as academic year 2017-2018 begins:

Superintendent Ed Graff   The superintendent of schools is responsible for leading all functions and processes for the school district. The superintendent is charged with working with all internal and external stakeholders to implement and execute core strategies that produce results across the school district. The superintendent sets the academic priorities of the school district and serves as the primary decision-maker and spokesperson for Minneapolis Public Schools.

Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership & Learning   Cecilia Saddler   The Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership and Learning manages operational connections to support associate superintendents, principals and teaching staff in accelerating student achievement and overall school improvement that is aligned to the core values and academic goals of Acceleration 2020.

Chief of Accountability, Innovation and Research   Eric Moore   The Chief of Accountability, Innovation, and Research provides leadership for the full scope of the Research, Evaluation, Accountability & Assessment (REAA) Department, including MPS executive decision-support through data analysis and interpretation and assuring that programs are in compliance with Federal, state, and local laws.

Chief Financial Officer   Ibrahima Diop   The chief financial officer leads the division of Finance, which is responsible for the overall fiscal management of the district. The chief provides leadership, direction and guidance in financial strategies and priorities. The Finance division umbrella includes Accounts Payable, Budget, Payroll, Purchasing, and Student Accounting Departments. Some of the responsibilities covered in these departments are monies for student-generated revenue, legislative allocations, budget accountability, annual budget tie-out process, fiscal auditing as well as grants management.   Chief Human Resources Officer   Maggie Sullivan

The Chief Human Resources Officer provides leadership for the full scope of functions provided by the Human Resources (HR) Division, including staffing, workforce planning, talent management, compensation, employee & labor relations, equal employment opportunity, benefits, risk management and insurance, professional development, and organizational change; provides advice and counsel on HR issues, interprets bargaining agreements, develops policies and procedures, manages division budgets and functions, and develops MPS human capital strategy to enhance organizational effectiveness.   Chief Information Officer   Fadi Fadhil

The chief information officer is responsible for the Information Technology strategy, computer systems, infrastructure, operations and deploying solutions that align with the district goals and objectives. Areas of focus include innovative use of technology to enhance, accelerate and transform student learning and academic achievement.

Chief Operations Officer   Karen Devet   The chief operating officer executes the operational priorities of the school district, providing leadership, direction and guidance in operational strategies. The chief oversees key operational functions of the school district including transportation, nutrition services, safety and security, capital planning and construction, maintenance and operations.

Chief of Staff   Suzanne Kelly   The chief of staff advises and supports the superintendent on day-to-day matters and creates a culture of high expectations that result in accelerated student achievement and improved school performance. The chief serves as a liaison between the superintendent and elected officials, stakeholders and MPS families.   General Counsel   Amy Moore

The general counsel provides advice and counsel for the school board and MPS executive management on legal matters concerning the school district. The general counsel represents the school district in legal proceedings, litigation, court appearances, hearings and other disputes. The school district’s lead attorney also manages staff and contract attorneys and oversees policy development for the school district. The general counsel reports to the superintendent and school board.

Associate Superintendents   Carla Steinbach Ron Wagner Brian Zambreno   The associate superintendent is responsible for creating and modeling a culture of high expectations and providing ongoing support and oversight to school building leaders. The associate superintendent works with school communities to create the necessary conditions that result in dramatic and accelerated student achievement, closing the achievement gap and improving overall school performance.                     Associate Superintendent Carla Steinbach                     is responsible for academic results at the                     following schools:   Anthony, Anwatin, Edison, Fair, Field, Franklin, Henry, Heritage, Justice Page, Longfellow, North, Northeast Middle School, Olson, Roosevelt, Sanford, South, Southwest, Washburn, Wellstone.

Associate Superintendent Ron Wagner                       is responsible for academic results at the                       following schools:   Andersen, Anishinabe, Bethune, Bryn Mawr, Burroughs, Green Central, Hale, Hall, Jefferson, Jenny Lind, Kenny, Kenwood, Loring, Lucy Laney, Lyndale, Nellie Stone Johnson, Northrop, Pratt, Sullivan, Waite Park

Associate Superintendent Brian Zambreno                     is responsible for academic results at the                     following schools:   Armatage, Bancroft, Barton, Cityview, Dowling, Emerson, Folwell, Hiawatha, Hmong International Academy, Howe, Keewaydin, Lake Harriet Lower, Lake Harriet Upper, Marcy, Pillsbury, Seward, Sheridan, Webster, Wenonah, Whittier, Windom.