By MaryHelen Swanson

The Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) Board of Education narrowed the field of candidates for superintendent to three individuals over the weekend.

Among them is Dr. Deborah Henton, currently superintendent of the North Branch Area Public Schools.  The other two finalists include Dr. Charles Hopson, currently deputy superintendent of schools in the Portland, Oregon Public Schools, and Valeria Silva, chief academic officer in the Saint Paul Public Schools.  

Henton’s employment background includes the following: she served as the chief of staff, executive director of Alternative Learning Programs, principal of Harding High School, and assistant principal at Harding High School, all in the Saint Paul Public Schools. She also served as an assistant principal at Stillwater High School and Oltman Junior High School in the South Washington County Public Schools. 

Dr. Henton began her education career as a teacher in the South Washington County Public Schools.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls and master’s and Ed.D degrees from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Henton has been superintendent of North Branch Area Public Schools for the past three years.

This week each finalist will participate in daylong meetings, a public reception and board interviews on the following days:

Monday, Nov. 16 - Dr.  Hopson

Wednesday, Nov. 18 -  Valeria Silva

Thursday, Nov. 19 - Dr.  Henton

Details about the public meetings for the superintendent finalists are available on the St. Paul Public Schools district Web site at www.spps.org.

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