After a nationwide search and a week's worth of meet-and-greets and interviews, the two superintendent finalists for Minneapolis Public Schools learned their fates today. After about an hour of debate on Friday, the Minneapolis Board of Education voted to support Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams as the next superintendent.
Dr. Sonia Stewart was the other candidate considered. She is deputy superintendent of Hamilton County Public Schools in Tennessee. Adams is superintendent of Eastern Carver County Schools.
Adams told the school board how impressed she was touring around different schools this week.
"There is so much love for Minneapolis Public Schools, and making sure we're moving forward," says Adams. "That is something that warms my heart."
Stewart told the board equity is a top priority for her.
"The definition of equity is very basic, it's that all students have what they need to reach their full potential," Stewart explained. "We know that every kid doesn't have the same needs and I think our role as a school system, as a school district, is to provide every kid what they need to be successful."
The Minneapolis School Board held a special meeting at 4:00 p.m. this Friday to select the new superintendent.
A start date is yet to be determined pending contract negotiations and approval.
Adams boasts a distinguished career in educational leadership spanning over two decades. Beginning in Minneapolis Public Schools from 1996 to 2004, she held various roles, including teacher and coordinator, ultimately becoming the principal at the City Alternative High School. Her journey continued in Clayton County Schools in Georgia (52,000 students), where she served as the principal for a high school and two elementary schools from 2004 to 2012.
Returning to Minnesota in 2012, she contributed significantly to the St. Paul School District (37,000 students) until 2019, holding roles such as middle school and elementary school principal, and later ascending to Assistant Superintendent for five years. In 2019, she took on the role of Assistant Superintendent in ISD 622 before assuming the prestigious position of Superintendent at Eastern Carver County Schools in 2020, overseeing a district of 9,600 students.