St. Paul school board chair Jon Schumacher said Monday he’s “still optimistic” that the board will vote Tuesday on an agreement to transition Valeria Silva out of the superintendent’s office.
Late last week, the school district scheduled and then indefinitely postponed a news conference where Schumacher and Silva were going to discuss an agreement.
Amid negotiations, Silva looked back on her career Friday in a speech before some 130 school principals, department heads and other administrators.
Following is her unedited prepared remarks from that speech, shared by the school district’s communications office:
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Leaders:
Today is our last day for the 2016-17 school year. Yes we are done!!! You have educated another group of 39,000 students. It is so powerful that all of us can have the fantastic opportunity to change the lives of students every day.
At this point in the year, we tend to forget the many good moments we had with our teams, students and families. Try to reflect on those memories soon, they will fill your soul and give you a sense of personal accomplishment – a feeling that we all need.
I want to thank all the incredible people that have worked in SPPS for years, and are now taking a different direction.
· Some are graduating – as I call retirement.
· Some are moving to other districts to continue influencing the lives of many more students and families
· Don’t forget to give them a big hug and pat on the back for the great work they have done and will continue to do.
In 1985, I came to Minnesota, specifically to St. Cloud State University to learn English for 3 months. That three months became almost 32 years.
When you are young you believe you can do everything, well I still feel young and believe I can do everything. The reality is that I cannot, I can only do what God has allowed me to do. You all know that I am not specifically religious but I believe that there is a path and a destiny that you must follow.
I want to thank each of you for all you have taught me over the years:
Leadership: you all have been part of my learning and growth as a leader of this organization. By you modeling, teaching me or mentoring me I have become a better leader
Mentorship: I have the incredible opportunity to mentor many of you somewhere in your career as a T.A, teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, or/and assistant superintendent. I have also had the honor to prepare other superintendents that today are leading districts here in Minnesota.
Humility: I believe humility it is a virtue. It is something you learn from and develop. WELL, you all have helped me to keep my feet on the ground, not forgetting who I am, neither my roots. That your title doesn’t make you better or more important in an organization. We all have a role to play that is essential for our students to be successful.
Family: Thanks for being my family in this new country and community. I know that I am closer to many of you that my own family in Chile. You have welcomed me and my family into yours. You have been there for me in the worst and best times. You have made me feel that I am a “True” Minnesotan.
Pride: Pride isn’t always a fantastic virtue to have, but the work we have done together for this and future has made me proud to be the superintendent in SPPS.
Keep it real: Yes I am probably not your traditional superintendent. I have been able to be myself and speak my truth always around you leaders. Why, because I knew that you wouldn’t be judgmental and you understood the importance of being who we are ALL the time.
Friendships Thanks to all of you who are my true friends. Those of you who respected me enough to give me the space to move from peer to the role of superintendent. You understood it was about the kids. I have not always agreed with all of your decisions or actions, but after the storm passed we continue to be friends.
Perseverance There were many times specially while being a superintendent that I thought I couldn’t do it anymore. But some of you provided me with that confidence and encouragement that I needed to continue our work.
Believe Thanks for believing in me as a leader. Yes, nobody is perfect and I know during my time as a leader of this organization we made big changes. Not all of them were implemented as well as we wanted. But you and your staff, where able to adjust and make it happen.
Dream: Thanks me to teach me and help me to dream of what was the vision of SPPS. For supporting SSSC plan. You made my vision a great reality.
Well I can spend all morning thanking you for something you did that impacted me professionally and personally.
Once again, thanks for choosing to work in SPPS.
Accomplishments
The school district also released a list of accomplishments:
Thanks to the leadership, commitment and hard work of my dynamic administrative team, Saint Paul Public Schools today:
· Have higher graduation rates than the state average in most schools, and also for both black and ELL students.
· Serve the highest number ever of PreK students – with a focus on underserved families.
· More equitably serve ALL students as a result of changes outlined in a new racial equity policy and new gender inclusion policy.
· Have improved the ways students learn using technology through a successful $39 million referendum
· Better serve our Special Education students, 80% of whom now thrive in r.egular classroom settings.
· Have a unique and effective partnership with the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County working to create a city that serves ALL students
· Offer highly competitive Hmong, Mandarin, Spanish and French immersion programs.
· Opened a middle school Montessori program.
· Expect principals to be instructional leaders, not just building leaders.
· Have benefited from annual funding increases directly to schools for the past six years.
· Have one of the highest employee retention rates for schools in the nation.
· Has more leaders, teachers and staff of color districtwide than previous administrations
· Offer free breakfast and lunch to ALL students.
· Help thousands of families learn to become more involved in their children’s education through Parent Academy.
· Make use of all available buildings, including those previously closed.