MEDFORD, MN — The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Laurie Putnam, Superintendent of St. Cloud Area School District, the 2025 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. As Minnesota's honoree, Dr. Putnam is now a candidate for National Superintendent of the Year, which will be announced during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education, March 6-8, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Putnam was selected for this honor by a panel of representatives from a variety of Minnesota education organizations. Nominees are evaluated on how each candidate demonstrates leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement.
“We are thrilled to honor Dr. Laurie Putnam as the 2025 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. Her visionary leadership, dedication to equity and inclusion, and commitment to student success have transformed St. Cloud Area Schools and left a lasting impact on the entire community,” said MASA Executive Director Dr. Deb Henton. “Dr. Putnam’s efforts to foster a collaborative, inclusive learning environment inspire educational leaders across the state. We are proud to recognize her outstanding contributions and look forward to seeing the continued positive influence she will have on education in Minnesota.”
Addressing Systemic Gaps. Dr. Putnam has led a determined effort to dismantle systemic inequities within the St. Cloud Area Schools. Recognizing the profound impact of a diverse workforce on student outcomes, particularly for students of color, she has prioritized the recruitment and retention of teachers, staff, and administrators of color. Through strategic partnerships with community organizations and innovative "Grow Your Own" programs, the district has made significant progress in staff diversity, surpassing state and regional averages. In Greater Minnesota, where only 1.2% of the teacher pool are people of color, St. Cloud Area Schools has achieved 8.5% representation among teachers and 21.6% of administrators identifying as people of color. Additionally, 25% of newly hired administrators and 17.4% of the overall district staff are people of color. This focus on representation has fostered a more inclusive and welcoming school environment, where students see themselves reflected in their educators and feel a greater sense of belonging. These efforts have resulted in improved student engagement, attendance, and academic performance across the district.
Innovative Solutions. Faced with the reality of insufficient funding, Dr. Putnam has demonstrated a remarkable ability to find innovative solutions that enhance educational opportunities for St. Cloud students. She and her team have pursued and secured more than $7 million in grant funding, enabling the district to launch transformative initiatives such as Full-Service Community Schools, which provide comprehensive academic and social support to students and families. Dr. Putnam has also prioritized student safety, utilizing grant funds to implement GPS mapping technology to pinpoint 911 calls and anonymous safety reporting systems for students, families, and staff. Furthermore, St. Cloud has acquired grant funds to create a special education teacher pipeline for aspiring special education teachers and a Teacher Apprentice Grant to support paraprofessionals in obtaining their teaching credentials.
Professionalism and Community Involvement. Dr. Putnam has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism and a strong commitment to community involvement, effectively navigating the district through politically sensitive issues. By adhering to her principles of "No Noise" and "Be About It, Don't Talk About It," she ensures that the district remains focused on student needs, minimizing distractions from external agendas. Her leadership has fostered positive relationships with the school board, community organizations, and local legislators, helping to secure support for critical initiatives like expanded preschool access and career pathway programs. Through her collaborative and consensus-building approach, Dr. Putnam continues to drive the district's mission forward, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Dr. Putnam has served as superintendent of St. Cloud Area Schools since 2022. She previously held several leadership roles within the district, including assistant superintendent for secondary schools, principal of Kennedy Community School, and assistant principal of South Junior High School. Dr. Putnam began her career in St. Cloud Area Schools in 2009 as a counselor at South Junior High.
Dr. Putnam is an active member of MASA, currently serving on the MASA Legislative Committee, advocating for legislation policies that support all of Minnesota’s public schools. Dr. Putnam is also involved with the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), CoSN EmpowerED Superintendents Advisory Panel, St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce (Board Member), United Way Partner for Student Success (Board Member), St. Cloud Rotary, and the U.S. Department of Education (USED) Roundtable on AI.
Dr. Putnam was the recipient of the 2023-24 MASA Region 6: District Leader of the Year Award. She also received the 2021-22 LEAF Instructional Excellence Award.
Dr. Putnam received a doctorate in K-12 Administration and Superintendent Licensure from St. Cloud State University. She holds a master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Maine and a bachelor’s degree in History from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
The Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award is sponsored by ATSR. For more information on the AASA Superintendent of the Year Program, please visit www.aasa.org.
MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education, and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college, and university professors, and other educators throughout Minnesota dedicated to educational leadership for students.