2025 President-Elect Candidates

Dear Colleagues,

I am honored to be nominated for President-Elect of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA). With over 30 years in education—starting as a classroom teacher and progressing through roles as a principal, community education director, and superintendent—I am deeply committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that support student success and empower educational leaders across Minnesota.

My journey began as an elementary teacher in Jackson and Albany, where I gained firsthand experience in the classroom, shaping young minds and understanding the daily challenges educators face. That foundation has guided me throughout my career as I transitioned into leadership roles, always ensuring that decisions at the administrative level prioritize student achievement and teacher support.

As Superintendent of the Hills-Beaver Creek School District for over a decade, I have led efforts to strengthen financial stability, expand technology integration, improve/build facilities, and enhance curriculum development. My leadership has been recognized through accolades such as the MASA Region 3 Administrator of Excellence Award and two U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon School recognitions. Additionally, my time as President of the Minnesota Rural Education Association has reinforced my commitment to ensuring that all districts—urban, suburban, and rural—have a voice in shaping education policy.

If elected, I will focus on:
✔ Advocacy – Strengthening our collective voice to influence policy decisions that directly impact Minnesota schools.
✔ Innovation – Promoting technology, curriculum enhancements, and financial strategies that prepare our students for the future.
✔ Collaboration – Expanding partnerships and professional development opportunities to empower administrators across the state.

I would be honored to serve as your President-Elect and work alongside you to continue MASA’s mission of excellence in educational leadership. I appreciate your support and look forward to the opportunity to represent you.

Sincerely,
Todd Holthaus
Superintendent, Hills-Beaver Creek 

Dr. Christopher E. Mills
Superintendent of Schools – Thief River Falls
chris.mills@myprowler.org
MASA Region 8 – Northwest Minnesota
 
Thank you for your consideration for MASA President Elect.  I have had the opportunity to work in public education for over 30 years, 25 years of these as a superintendent of schools.  I started my career as an elementary education teacher and coach in Benson, MN.  I had the opportunity to transition into school leadership as a middle school principal in Thief River Falls, MN.  I continued my educational leadership journey by moving into the role of superintendent of schools in Stephen-Argyle Central, MN for 23 years.  For the past two years, I have served as the superintendent of schools for Thief River Falls, MN.
 
I completed my licensure program at St. Cloud State and my doctorate at the University of North Dakota.  I have had the opportunity for the last 15 years to work with the Department of Leadership and Learning at Minnesota State University at Moorhead to support prospective school leaders through our region.  I believe strongly that a major responsibility of MASA leadership is to support and advocate for new school leaders to move into our profession. 
 
The following would be my points of emphasis as your President-Elect:
 
Elevate the Profession of School Leadership:  I believe by continuing the focus of mentoring, coaching, and professional development we can work together to establish a new group of school leaders that will lift public education into the future.
 
Relationships and Partnerships: Develop and build relationships and partnerships at the local, state, and federal level to facilitate a network of leadership that will enhance our public education system to meet the needs of all of our students.  Leadership matters – We must be strong advocates for our students, staff, and families.
 
Legislative Advocacy: MASA leadership will continue to be the facilitator of advocacy for public schools and school leaders at the state and federal levels.  We will establish and support school leader’s involvement at all levels of government to facilitate support for the MASA legislative platform.
 
Professional Development/Technology: The world of education continues to change at a pace that is challenging for schools to maintain relevance in curriculum, instructional practices and preparation for the future.  I believe that we must work with community partnerships, support career and technical education opportunities, and provide career tracks in our schools to efficiently prepare students for an everchanging future.
 
Mental Health/Social Skills Development: We must advocate for our students and families to have access to the support and programs to function in our schools and communities.  Mental Health continues to be an challenging issue to provide services and staff to those in need of support.  We must be advocates for funding, services, and training for our staff to meet the needs of our students and families.
 
I believe my work in our schools has prepared me to lead MASA.  I have served in leadership roles in MASA, MREA, NREA, and AASA.
• 25 years as an active member of MASA, AASA, and MREA
• I have served as a MASA Board member, Aspiring Superintendent Coach, and member of AASA Federal Advocacy Team
• Presentations at MASA, NREA, and regional professional development conferences
• Minnesota Department of Education School Finance committee
 
I am honored to be recommended for the role of MASA President-Elect.  I believe that each and everyday our membership makes a difference and has an impact in the lives of students, staff, families and communities,  I am a passionate advocate for public education and the leaders that provide a path for success for every student.  Thank you for your consideration and support!

Minnesota’s school administrators deserve a leader who understands the complexity of our work and will fight for our ability to make decisions that best serve our students and communities. As Superintendent of St. Cloud Area Schools, I lead in a regional center that bridges urban, suburban, and rural communities—giving me a unique perspective on the diverse challenges we face across the state.

I am running to be your MASA President-Elect because I believe in three key priorities:

✅ Autonomy & Local Control – Decisions impacting schools should be made by those who know them best. That’s why I stood before the Senate this week to oppose a statewide cell phone ban, advocating for superintendents to work with their communities on what’s right for them.

✅ Collaboration Across Regions – I know the power of working together. From MASA Region 6 to the Central Lakes Conference to AMSD, I have built coalitions that bridge regional differences - and together - we drive real solutions.
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✅ Leveraging Resources & Connections – Superintendents and district leaders need strong legislative and business partnerships to make lasting change. Through initiatives like the MN Thought Leaders Summit, I’ve proven my ability to bring people together across sectors to solve big challenges.

I don’t just talk about leadership—I live it. My promise to you? Say anything, just say it to my face. I believe in direct, honest conversations and making sure every voice is heard.

MASA needs a leader who will stand up for school administrators to advocate for local control and the work we do every day. I will lead with courage and clarity, supporting you in your leadership for all kids. I’m ready to serve—and I’d be honored to have your support.

Read more here: https://sites.google.com/apps.isd742.org/putnamformasa/home​

I am honored to be nominated by my peers to serve as MASA President-Elect. I started my path as a Minnesota educator at Augsburg College (now University) in Minneapolis. After graduating with a degree in History and a secondary social studies license I was fortunate to land a teaching job in Parkers Prairie.

Parkers Prairie is a small town just north of Alexandria. It was such a great experience that I embraced living in a small town and taught there for four years. Having had an urban and rural experience in Minnesota, my next teaching job was in Edina.

During my time in Edina I served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. After 16 years in Edina schools with great mentors and community support, our family moved to Alexandria as I was hired as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Like my previous experiences in Parkers Prairie and Edina, I found the community to be highly invested and generous toward their public schools.

In February of 2020 - yes, just before COVID changed our world - I was hired as the Superintendent in Alexandria. These last five years have included a high volume of learning in addition to growing my understanding of the work we are privileged to do.

I share my career story with you as I believe it represents a broad experience across our state—urban, rural, suburban, and now in a rural regional center. I believe that all of our communities want to invest and be generous with our young people. With that, I share my ideas on how I might support you and MASA.

Resilience: MASA has been an amazing organization for me as I started my superintendent journey. We need to continue implementing and growing the actions that help our peers be healthy to support the health and well-being of the schools and communities they lead.

Redefine Excellence: For the past 25 years, our world has assessed our nation's schools on a test score. I have witnessed amazing partnerships in my journey. I believe we have great opportunities with our business community—often through our Chamber of Commerce partners—to ensure that the experiences of our students are not only contributing to student passion and interest but also support communities across our state. My Alexandria experience has allowed me to see the benefit of such partnerships. A number of school districts have created a Portrait of a Graduate to support student success. I would like to help our state reimagine what an excellent student experience looks like and how we might measure those results.

Creativity: Given the demographic data in front of us (more senior citizens and fewer young people), we will need to be more creative and innovative than ever to provide high-quality experiences for our young people. How we use our resources and lean into partnerships can help all of us maximize our resources for the benefit of kids. How might schools work together more efficiently? How might we work with higher ed more effectively? These are just a few areas where we have some opportunity.

Proactive Policy Solutions: believe we need to be delivering policy solutions in greater volume and strength to our local and state legislators. I have witnessed some amazing success by peers across the state who have brought policy solutions to legislators that support the work of our public schools. I would much rather fight for something than be against something.
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My experience with MASA includes being a part of the Great Start Cohort in 2020-21. I have presented at the MASA conference on multiple occasions. I have served on the legislative committee for the past few years. I have enjoyed participating in the Advanced Leadership Academy during this school year and have grown and affirmed connections with fellow superintendents. It would be an honor to serve MASA as the President-Elect.