Osseo School District Superintendent Receives Positive Review

After her first year serving as leader of the , Superintendent Kate Maguire received positive reviews from the District 279 School Board.

Members of the School Board met in June to assess the superintendent in six key areas as part of an annual evaluation, according to Chairperson Dean Henke at the July 12 regular board meeting. Maguire was evaluated in areas of policy and governance, planning and assessment, instructional leadership, organizational management, communications and community relations, and professionalism.

During the review process, the School Board rated Maguire in each category from one to five, with five being the highest possible rating. Overall, the District 279 superintendent received a 4.45 rating, “between very good and outstanding” Henke said.

“I appreciate the Board’s confidence in me and their positive feedback,” Maguire said in a statement after the meeting. “Great things happen in Osseo Area Schools because of more than 3,000 employees who are dedicated to our mission for all students.”

At the meeting, Henke read several statements from fellow School Board members, highlighting Maguire’s strengths in areas such as staff communication, leadership, strategic planning and a positive working relationship with the Board.

“Kate is a tremendous asset to our district with her leadership that provides for an environment that is focused on our mission and strategic plan,” Henke read.

One area of improvement from an unnamed School Board member, and read by Henke, expressed there was “room for improvement in meeting the educational needs of students when not all students are successful. Kate must continue to work with staff to analyze data and make adjustments to curriculum and instruction to ensure all students educational needs are being met.”

Before concluding the statement about Maguire’s review at the July 12 meeting, Henke said the Board chose not to award a performance incentive allowed in her contract.

“This decision is not related to any performance concerns,” he said. “Rather, it is based on current financial conditions and the need for the School Board and superintendent to develop mutually agreed upon performance objectives.”

Maguire’s three-year contract provides for the same base salary, $194,555, in each year of the contract.  

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Dr. Maguire for a job well done in her first year as superintendent,” Henke said.  

“As a team, School Board members and administrators have been able to stay focused on our mission and the work outlined in our strategic plan; we’ve been effective stewards of a productive organizational culture; and School Board members have worked collaboratively with each other and with administration,” Maguire said after the meeting. “We spend a lot of time together, and I know that our Board members are knowledgeable about and invested in our work. I appreciate the partnership that exists between School Board and administration, and I’m proud of the things we have accomplished together.”