• Take Time to Celebrate You

    Thank you for all you have done to make this an incredible year for Saint Paul Public Schools. Enjoy the summer, take some time away, and I know we will bring this momentum and energy with us into next year and beyond.

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  • Understanding Our Budget Reality

    In our schools and across the district, spring is a time of great change as we finalize our budget and, as has been the case for many years, determine what cuts are necessary to continue providing a high-quality learning and working environment for all of our students and staff.

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  • Feeling Safe at School

    It should go without saying that guns have no place in Saint Paul Public Schools, or any school for that matter. But we know that guns and other weapons have been found and apprehended in our schools, and schools across the country. Creating a safe school climate is everyone’s collective responsibility, and that includes staff, students, leadership at every level, and the community at large.

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  • Student Success Is Measured in Opportunities, Not Credits

    Superintendent Gothard shares the "why" behind the district's recent announcement that all high schools will require a minimum of 86 credits to graduate starting with the class of 2022.

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  • Advancing Equity in SPPS

    What does systemic equity look like at Saint Paul Public Schools? Through SPPS Achieves, this work includes creating and implementing a district equity plan, and providing learning opportunities around fairness, justice and educational equity. I want to highlight just a few examples of systemic equity in action right now in SPPS.

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  • Moving Forward Together

    I hope you all have been able to take a large collective breath this past week. I remain proud of everyone who has been at the bargaining table over the last several months and their ability to work through every proposal and reach a tentative agreement that puts our students first.

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  • Negotiations Update

    You all should have received an email last week about the most recent round of negotiations between the district and SPFE leadership. This process is trying and emotional, not only for those at the bargaining table, but for everyone who works for, attends, or is otherwise connected to Saint Paul Public Schools. In my heart of hearts, I know that every person involved wants to settle a fair and equitable contract that meets the needs of our 34,000 students, and is putting all of their energy into making that happen.

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  • Virtual Learning Update

    SPPS implemented new metrics last week to serve as a baseline for determining if individual schools need to temporarily shift to virtual learning. At this time, seven of our schools (roughly 10%) have made this shift. We are continuing to monitor and adjust our process, with the goal of providing as much continuity and predictability as possible for our students during this time.

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  • Learning through Omicron

    With staffing levels already strained, the increase in COVID cases, quarantines, and seasonal colds and flus have me and everyone on high alert. While I’m not on the front lines alongside you, I am doing what is within my power to lessen the load while honoring the urgency from our state and federal leaders to keep our schools open.

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  • The 1619 Project

    Diving into The 1619 Project is an individual journey. The work of Nikole Hannah-Jones and others continually challenges me as an equity leader in a system assembled more than 400 years ago that continues to uphold the vestiges that it was intended to. Please join me and pledge to take a stand in identifying racial inequities and committing to solutions that remove barriers and create communities of learning where all are valued and supported.

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  • Have a Wonderful Winter Break

    I want to thank you for all you have done to support your students’ learning and each other during what has been another challenging year. I would also like to encourage you to take precautions when gathering with loved ones as COVID-19 case rates remain high across Minnesota and in SPPS.

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  • Critical Ethnic Studies

    This Tuesday night, the Board of Education will vote on a change to the Saint Paul Public Schools graduation policy. If approved, all SPPS students will take a new course, called Critical Ethnic Studies, in 10th grade starting next year with the graduating class of 2025. I am proud of this work and also believe it’s important that we don't allow this course to be our students’ first or only experience seeing themselves reflected in their learning.

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  • I'm Listening

    Through this Envision process, the pandemic, the strike, and the many challenges that came before that, I have heard that SPPS leadership doesn’t listen. I take this feedback to heart, and as we move through our current challenges and onto the next, I want to hear your ideas and your solutions for better serving our community and making our schools the best they can be for our students and families.

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  • TechEd Podcast

    Dr. Gothard recently sat down with host Matt Kirchner to talk about the state of urban education, systemic equity, college and career readiness, and much more on the TechEd Podcast.

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  • Giving thanks and a much-needed break

    The first few months of our return to a "normal" school year have been exciting and rewarding, but also extremely challenging. I know that saying "thank you" may feel like words without meaning or action behind them. In addition to deploying licensed district staff to help with the sub shortage, we are discussing what else we can do to help alleviate the heavy weight that many of you are carrying.

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  • Taking School Safety Seriously

    Around the country, fights, verbal attacks and threats of violence have been on the rise in high schools everywhere. Saint Paul is not immune to this, as many of you who work in our schools know firsthand. I want to share a few things we are doing now to better support you and our students’ safety.

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  • Strategically Investing in Systemic Equity

    The necessary work to improve long-term student outcomes in SPPS requires a steadfast commitment to equity. We are allocating nearly $10 million of SPPS's American Rescue Plan funds to systemic equity work so we can continue to identify and remove barriers that prevent students from being successful.

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  • Another Milestone in the Pandemic

    Later this week, we anticipate that we will finally reach the point that many of us in education have been waiting for: an approved COVID-19 vaccine for our younger students. This is a turning point in the pandemic, and I ask that all of us help our families access the resources they need to get the shot, which will allow them to better protect themselves and those around them.

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  • An Untraditional Path

    I have often had students ask me, “How did you know you wanted to be a superintendent?” I am honest when I tell them that I didn’t. I had leaders around me who gave me opportunities and offered me support. They demanded my best in service of the schools, students, families and community, and I am beyond grateful for that.

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  • Educator Burnout and Supporting Staff SEL

    As educators and school district staff, we focus a lot on the importance of social emotional learning for our students. But we can’t do that if we’re not intentionally modeling and practicing SEL skills ourselves.

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