THE MSBA INTERVIEW — DR. DEB HENTON

Photo courtesy of North Branch Area Public Schools

Dr. Deb Henton converses with a member of North Branch Area High School Air Force JROTC.

New executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators discusses her goals, equity, and the school board-superintendent relationship

By Bruce Lombard, MSBA Associate Director of Communications and Marketing

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) announced in January 2020 that North Branch Area Superintendent Dr. Deb Henton would become the association’s next executive director.

Dr. Deb Henton July 1, 2020, was the start date for Henton — replacing Dr. Gary Amoroso who retired after his nine-year run as MASA’s executive director.

Henton was the 2019-2020 MASA Past President, served for multiple years on the MASA Professional Assistance Team, and led the MASA Legislative Committee — lobbying on behalf of public education at both the state and federal levels.

Prior to her 13-year tenure in North Branch Area, Henton served as a junior and senior high school social studies teacher and assistant principal in the South Washington County School District where she was named Woodbury’s 1995 Teacher of the Year.

Henton later served as an assistant principal at Stillwater Area High School and principal at St. Paul Harding High School, where she led for five years before being promoted to St. Paul’s Executive Director of Alternative Learning Programs. While principal of Harding High School, Henton was named the 2004 MASSP Capitol Division Principal of the Year. In 2006, she was appointed the Chief of Staff for St. Paul Public Schools.

In the interview below, Henton shared her goals for MASA, her insights on the school board-superintendent relationship, and the current challenges superintendents are facing.

MSBA: What was your initial reaction upon hearing the news that you were selected as MASA’s new executive director?

DR. DEB HENTON: I thought, “I got the job! I got the job!” I was thrilled and wore a big smile for the next week! I am honored to have been selected for the position of executive director — and excited for the opportunity to serve the members of MASA in a different way than I am familiar. I also remember being grateful that MASA is a wellestablished organization and that I would be following an incredibly successful leader.

MSBA: While you will now be working on behalf of all of Minnesota superintendents, what will you miss most about being a superintendent yourself?

HENTON: I can only guess at this point, but I have a feeling I am going to miss the connection to all the staff that work

in a school system. I have enjoyed learning about buildings and grounds, transportation, food service, early childhood education, community education, and the other areas I had not worked with closely until I became a superintendent. Perhaps, what I will miss most is the magic of watching teachers and students share the delight of learning.

MSBA: What are your primary goals for MASA?

HENTON: My efforts will be dedicated toward serving MASA members well. I look forward to supporting their professional needs while building relationships with members from every region. While I was MASA president, I assisted in the development of a plan to increase the number of female superintendents. I remain committed to that goal and will also focus on equity. More than ever, the inequities for students and school districts have been amplified, and we must find ways to do better for all our students across the state.

In addition, MASA’s strategic plan is expiring and I look forward to developing a process to engage members in designing a continuous improvement plan that identifies what is working and where MASA can improve. It is important to the success of the organization that all members — regardless of their position and the size of their school district — have a voice in the direction of MASA.

Finally, I will strive to ensure MASA remains the leading advocate for public education in the state.

MSBA: What insights can you give on enhancing the school board-superintendent relationship?

HENTON: School board members appreciate transparent and timely communication. I am forever considering what information school board members need so that they can make informed decisions. I share what I know and what they might anticipate. I want them to be knowledgeable so that all stakeholders trust their decisions.

I also tell staff that it is important to remember that school board members have day jobs and cannot accept every invitation. I do not set unrealistic expectations for school board members and am grateful for their dedication to the position. I believe it is essential to be respectful of the school boardsuperintendent relationship and always remember the school board has the ultimate governing authority and that the superintendent as CEO is in charge of the day-to-day operations. Understanding each other’s role is essential to building a positive relationship with one another.

MSBA: How does the role of the superintendent change during a pandemic? What new challenges did you face during the end of your tenure at North Brach Area? What issues will be the biggest concern for superintendents in the immediate future?

HENTON: During this pandemic, superintendents are dealing daily with new problems they likely never imagined. They are used to dealing with a certain level of uncertainty, yet the pandemic has caused superintendents to lack the answers staff, students, families, and community members expect. Superintendents are even more worried about inequities, students lacking support at home, mental health needs of all stakeholders, funding, delivering meals, and technology — an endless list of problems to consider. I worry about the mental health of all MASA members who are working incredibly long days on complex issues during these uncertain times.

Funding and declining enrollment have been two primary challenges I have faced as superintendent. I assumed the role of superintendent at the start of the Great Recession and now end my tenure with a pandemic that is causing a rapid depletion of funds for fee-based programs. Thankfully, I have worked with incredible leaders who never lost sight of doing the very best for children no matter the circumstances we faced. We found solutions and increased offerings even during the most difficult times. Superintendents will face funding issues, questions about how to open the 2020-2021 school year, the health and welfare of their staff and communities, and additional pandemicrelated issues into the future. Yet, it is without a doubt our MASA members will rise to the challenge and provide the best education possible. They are resilient and hopeful. How fortunate I will be to assume the role of executive director of MASA in July.

Visit https://www.mnasa.org to learn more about the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

The Henton File

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies from the University of

Wisconsin-River Falls • Master’s degree in Education from Saint Mary’s University • Educational Administrative Licensure from Saint Mary’s • Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Saint

Mary’s

Honors

• 2020 — MASA Educational Leadership Award • 2018 — Minnesota Superintendent of the Year • 2015 — Administrator of Excellence for MASA’s Region 6 • 2014 — MASA Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award • 2013 — Outstanding Service Award from the Minnesota Service Cooperatives • 2011 — eSchool NewsTech-Savvy Superintendent Award