Six are semifinalists in St. Paul schools superintendent search

Several St. Paulites have said they want their next school superintendent to be local, and the field of semifinalist candidates released Wednesday reflects that desire.

[Anne]

Stan Mack!!??? are these people joking!!! He tore Robbinsdale to pieces and now they want to hire him!! BAD idea, bad idea.

[SPPS Retiree]

Deb Henton is a veteran Saint Paul principal and central office administrator whose excellent leadership skills and style clashed with the late superintendent. To her credit she took the high road, did not stoop to Carstarphen's level, and was a stellar performer till the day she left for the North Branch position. She is a class act and has exhibited the kind of intelligent leadership the school district needs. Stachel at times is too political and Silva is too reactive.

The school district needs someone with a proven track record and extensive experience in a large urban district, not a small almost rural setting. Mark Bezek comes from a small district a fraction the size of Saint Paul that is neither racially diverse nor suffering with significant numbers of students living in poverty. Stan Mack has neither large district experience nor a proved track record. The best shot by far is Deb Henten followed by Stachel and Silva.

[Former Student]

SPPS Retiree wrote:

Deb Henton is a veteran Saint Paul principal and central office administrator whose excellent leadership skills and style clashed with the late superintendent. To her credit she took the high road, did not stoop to Carstarphen's level, and was a stellar performer till the day she left for the North Branch position. She is a class act and has exhibited the kind of intelligent leadership the school district needs. Stachel at times is too political and Silva is too reactive.
The school district needs someone with a proven track record and extensive experience in a large urban district, not a small almost rural setting. Mark Bezek comes from a small district a fraction the size of Saint Paul that is neither racially diverse nor suffering with significant numbers of students living in poverty. Stan Mack has neither large district experience nor a proved track record. The best shot by far is Deb Henten followed by Stachel and Silva.

Our last superintendent left after three years. Saint Paul needs someone who will stay longer than three years. Semifinalist Henton, in the last ten years, has been with South Washington County Schools, Stillwater Area Schools, Saint Paul Public Schools, and North Branch Area Schools. We need someone with a history of commitment.

[Madaman]

I request that the School Board be color-blind in their selection process. We have had enough, actually FAR TOO MUCH, Political Correctness in recent Super choices.

Make a careful but great choice, and ask for a commitment to both excellence and duration of service!

[SPPS Teacher]

Two of thew WORST candidates are Valeria Silva and Nancy Stachel.

Silva is a hot head who can't control herself. She is NOT a good people person and is a poor manager. She is in the "in" crowd down at 360. Stachel is not an honest person. She has been caught not telling the truth numerous times. She is also in the "in" crowd down at 360. This "in" crowd has brought you the worst achievement gap in the state of Minnesota. Their policies have ruined the education of many in SPPS. Both are poor managers who aren't up to the task to be superintendent.

The School Board being an "in" school board will pick either of these two even if Keith Hardy objects. I am betting on Silva, as she has more connections than Stachel. Silva also has worked on Jean O'Connell's campaign and had a O'Connell campaign sign.

[Parent in SPPS]

SPPS Retiree wrote:

Deb Henton is a veteran Saint Paul principal and central office administrator whose excellent leadership skills and style clashed with the late superintendent. To her credit she took the high road, did not stoop to Carstarphen's level, and was a stellar performer till the day she left for the North Branch position. She is a class act and has exhibited the kind of intelligent leadership the school district needs. Stachel at times is too political and Silva is too reactive.
The school district needs someone with a proven track record and extensive experience in a large urban district, not a small almost rural setting. Mark Bezek comes from a small district a fraction the size of Saint Paul that is neither racially diverse nor suffering with significant numbers of students living in poverty. Stan Mack has neither large district experience nor a proved track record. The best shot by far is Deb Henten followed by Stachel and Silva.

Deb Henten is a wonderful choice! She always returned my phone calls, she was concerned with my children and she is a great person.

Ms. Henten would make a great superintendent in St. Paul!

[Teacher]

I just saw this in the paper. Silva is a poor choice. She has major people problems. You thought Carstarphen was bad, Silva is very bad news!

[Numbers Guy]

I hope that the St.Paul School Board doesn't pick Stan Mack as a finalist. He is a CONTROL FREAK and is a POOR communicator.

He is known in the RAS by employees and the community as a "Say anything to get what he wants". In my opinion he is NOT TRUST WORTHY.

[Truth teller]

Numbers Guy wrote:

I hope that the St.Paul School Board doesn't pick Stan Mack as a finalist. He is a CONTROL FREAK and is a POOR communicator.
He is known in the RAS by employees and the community as a "Say anything to get what he wants". In my opinion he is NOT TRUST WORTHY.

Based on what?

[Truth teller]

This is based on my personal knowledge, discussions with employees of RAS, current & former school board members and other community members. I had a number of discussion with Stan Mack over the last couple of years and attended many school board meetings.

Stan Mack should not be part of any school district.

[Numbers Guy]

Sorry "Truth teller". I meant to put your name as header on my previous post not as my name.

[SPPS Resident]

Deb Henton would be a bigger mistake for St Paul. How many jobs has she had the last 10 years? Yeah, too many to count. People mentioned about some other candidates being with the "in" crowd, but I think Deb Henton is far worst. If you are within her circle, no matter what you do, you can do no wrong...even if you can't do your job. If you don't believe me, look at some of the people working at Harding HS. Have you ever heard of the "good old boys club"? Ask her, she knows a lot about this topic. These are the people in her circle. Also, she does NOT know how to work with people of color. Put her in a room with color parents and you can hear crickets. She has no idea how to work with people of color. St. Paul isn't Stillwater or North Branch, Deb! She would be a huge mistake for this district. We do not need a Sarah Palin in this school district!!

[Madaman]

SPPS Resident wrote:

... We do not need a Sarah Palin in this school district!!

But she says she can see Saint Paul from her front porch! Clearly the most qualified for the post.

:)

[Harding teacher]

SPPS Resident wrote:

Deb Henton would be a bigger mistake for St Paul. How many jobs has she had the last 10 years? Yeah, too many to count. People mentioned about some other candidates being with the "in" crowd, but I think Deb Henton is far worst. If you are within her circle, no matter what you do, you can do no wrong...even if you can't do your job. If you don't believe me, look at some of the people working at Harding HS. Have you ever heard of the "good old boys club"? Ask her, she knows a lot about this topic. These are the people in her circle. Also, she does NOT know how to work with people of color. Put her in a room with color parents and you can hear crickets. She has no idea how to work with people of color. St. Paul isn't Stillwater or North Branch, Deb! She would be a huge mistake for this district. We do not need a Sarah Palin in this school district!!

I worked with Dr. Henton for several years. I found her to be open, helpful and very caring. She was one of the BEST administrators I have ever worked for.

Your attempt to smear her with the color remarks sounds like a comment Elona Street-Stewart would make. If this is Elona shame on you. It is you who are a raciest for suggesting Dr. Henton is a raciest.

I have worked with Dr. Henton and there is not one mean bone in her body. Your attempt to color Dr. Henton is a raciest light is shameful and untrue.