FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: May 23, 2014 MEDIA CONTACT: Stan Alleyne

Chief Communications Officer 612.668.0230 stan.alleyne@mpls.k12.mn.us

Four MPS principals promoted to associate superintendent

Dr. Johnson announces new leadership structure to strengthen supports and relationships between central office and schools

MINNEAPOLIS – To accelerate alignment and collaboration between central office departments and school sites, Dr. Bernadeia H. Johnson, superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), today announced cost-neutral changes to the central office structure, including the promotion of four principals to associate superintendent positions.

Under the new structure, seven associate superintendents will oversee schools based on program or school type, rather than geographic area. Each associate superintendent will lead 10-12 schools, which will allow associate superintendents more time to partner effectively with principals.

“The new structure clearly defines the associate superintendent as the primary supervisor and coach for school principals,” Johnson said. “We need associate superintendents to spend significantly more time in the schools, overseeing principal performance and helping develop their instructional leadership capacity.”

Laura Cavender, current principal at Pillsbury School, will lead high priority schools; Jackie Hanson, current principal of Anthony Middle School, will oversee middle schools; Lucilla Yira, current principal of Windom Dual Immersion School, will lead magnet schools; and Ron Wagner, current principal of Anne Sullivan Communication Center, will lead K-8 schools in western Minneapolis. The current associate superintendents’ roles will change as well. Stephen Flisk, current associate superintendent for Area B, will oversee K-8 schools in eastern Minneapolis; Sara Paul, current associate superintendent for school innovation and achievement, will lead alternative schools; and Cecilia Saddler, current associate superintendent for Area C, will lead high schools.

Since joining MPS in 1991, Cavender has taught K-8 science classes and gifted students and held administrative roles in curriculum, gifted education and leadership. Cavender was assistant principal at Nellie Stone Johnson and Lincoln elementary schools before becoming principal at Cityview, then Pillsbury. She holds a Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas and an administrative licensure with coursework from St. Mary’s University, where she is also earning a superintendent’s license.

Hanson started her MPS career at Patrick Henry High School in 1986. Hanson was a teacher, dean of students and assistant principal at the school before taking on the role of principal at Anthony in 2000. Hanson earned a Master of Arts in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota and holds a principal license with coursework from St. Mary’s University, where she is currently pursuing a superintendent’s license.

Yira is the first Latina in MPS to be named as an associate superintendent. She has been in education for over 20 years and is a strong advocate for language immersion, English learners and garnering partnerships that accelerate student learning. Yira has taught in Puerto Rico and St. Paul. Prior to her principalship at Windom, Yira served as assistant principal at Achieve Language Academy in St. Paul. She holds a superintendent’s license with coursework from Mankato State University.

Ron Wagner of Anne Sullivan Communication Center has served students for over 25 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. He has a strong focus on data-driven planning, instruction and strategies to support all learners. He also has a strong background in technology integration. Wagner taught elementary and middle school grades in Indiana before joining MPS as a math teacher at Olson Middle School in 2000. He later became assistant principal at Olson and took on the principal role at Anne Sullivan in 2009. He earned his Bachelor of Science in education from Ball State University and a Master of Education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Wagner also holds an Education Specialist degree from the University of St. Thomas.

In addition to the associate superintendent positions, Johnson announced other central office changes. A new position, chief of schools, will be responsible for implementing academic strategies and directing the work of the associate superintendents, as well as setting priorities for schools and representing school interests at the central office. Michael Thomas, who currently serves as the associate superintendent for Area A, will take on this new leadership role.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Goar will continue overseeing most areas including Information Technology, Operations and Academics. Goar’s departments will be divided into two categories – design and implementation.

Chief Academic Officer Susanne Griffin will oversee all academic departments responsible for designing and developing academic strategies, systems and structures to support schools.

The adjustments to the superintendent’s administrative structure aim to help accelerate alignment and collaboration between the central office and schools, as well as provide significantly more support to schools. The changes, which are effective July 1, 2014, are cost neutral, as MPS will reduce and repurpose the central office-based school improvement specialist and instructional lead positions.

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