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:
SuperintendentEd 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.
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Deputy Chief of Academics, Leadership & LearningCecilia 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.
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Chief of Accountability, Innovation and ResearchEric 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.
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Chief Financial OfficerIbrahima 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 OfficerMaggie 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 OfficerFadi Fadhil |
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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.
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Chief Operations OfficerKaren 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.
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Chief of StaffSuzanne 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
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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.
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Associate SuperintendentsCarla SteinbachRon WagnerBrian 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.
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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
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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.
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