The St. Paul school board plans to negotiate a contract extension with Superintendent Joe Gothard, who is in the last year of a three-year deal.
Board chairwoman Zuki Ellis on Tuesday night praised Gothard’s leadership abilities, public advocacy and nurturing of community partnerships as she summarized a performance review conducted earlier this month.
However, Gothard needs to improve in several areas, she said. He must develop a priorities-based budget, secure the district’s financial future, improve strategic communications, address concerns about the facilities department and come up with concrete plans to improve equity, she said.
Gothard said he’s excited about the new school year and remains committed to the St. Paul district.
“It’s an easy thing for me to renew my commitment,” he said during the evening board meeting.
Gothard was superintendent of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district before St. Paul hired him in 2017, a year after the board bought out Valeria Silva’s contract.
Gothard’s salary this year is $232,000, the same as his first two years.
