Gothard, who came to St. Paul in 2017 after four years at the helm of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, is among the nation's longest-serving urban school leaders and a veteran of public appearances with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

Outgoing Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero said to expect $30 million in cuts for next year's 2024-25 budget. Since 90% of the district budget pays to operate schools, he said the impact on students and educators is "unavoidable."

The number of students in Houston ISD has been on a downward slide since the COVID-19 pandemic. That enrollment decline continued this school year, and the expansion of a controversial reform program could make things worse.