The Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education last week approved a contract to have Valeria Silva serve as the District's Superintendent effective Wednesday, December 16."This has been a collaborative and productive negotiation process and Ms. Silva's leadership and commitment to Saint Paul Public Schools is clear," said Board Chair Kazoua Kong-Thao. "This bodes well for a productive and successful relationship between the Board and Superintendent Silva. We are fully ready to support her leadership and are anxious for her to begin her term as superintendent, which is why we asked that she begin effective December 16, 2009."
Silva said that she is glad the negotiation process is complete. "Now I can get down to the work of leading Saint Paul Public Schools for at least the next three years while we all continue our work of providing a premier education for every student," Silva said. "I look forward to showing that, as a leader, I hold myself to the same expectations that I ask of the staff and organization."
Silva has served in a variety of roles at SPPS, most recently serving as Chief Academic Officer. Prior to that assignment, she was Director of English Language Learner Programs, Assistant Principal at Dayton's Bluff Elementary, Principal at Adams Spanish Immersion School and Coordinator of Spanish Immersion Program / Curriculum. She has also spent time as a Specialist for Standards and Accommodations for the Minnesota Department of Education.
Silva holds B.A. degrees from St. Cloud State University and Pontifica University of Chile and M.A. and ED.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota. She also is a recent graduate of the prestigious Broad Superintendent's Academy.
