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Julie Siple and Tom Weber

Meet the next St. Paul schools superintendent

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Joe Gothard
Joe Gothard, the new superintendent of the St. Paul Public Schools.
Aaron Lavinsky | Star Tribune file

When Joe Gothard takes over as superintendent of the St. Paul Public Schools on July 1, he'll be the first permanent leader in the district since the school board fired Valeria Silva last June.

Gothard will face some challenges coming in — including a projected $23 million budget shortfall for next year and some deep divisions in the district over discipline policies.

That deficit will be his biggest challenge, Gothard said.

Gothard, who currently leads the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district, told MPR News host Tom Weber that he has clear priorities coming in.

"Stability in getting to know the community, getting to know what's working in the district. Supporting our teachers, our students, our families. And letting people know we can achieve great things together," he said.

To hear Gothard talk with Weber about his vision for St. Paul's schools, use the audio player above.