St. Paul Superintendent Withdraws From Florida Job Consideration

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Though she made it to the final four candidates, the superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools says she is withdrawing from consideration for a job in Florida.

Valeria Silva was one of 72 to apply for a superintendent job in Palm Beach County, Florida. Silva, along with the three others, was supposed be formally interviewed during a public meeting next Thursday.

Silva, who has served as superintendent with St. Paul Public Schools since 2009, just agreed to a three-year-contract extension in March.

On Thursday afternoon, she released a letter to teachers: "While it was an honor to be considered for that school district's top leadership position, I withdrew my name from consideration earlier this afternoon."

Silva said she understood that some might be confused by her choice to apply for the Florida job and then withdraw her name.

"Over the last several days, I have reflected on all we have accomplished together in St. Paul. It is now even clearer to me that, despite what our critics might have you believe, we have made steady progress in improving the academic success of all students."

She concluded, "My heart and soul are in St. Paul, and that is why I choose to stay."