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Passed over in Denver, Pat Harvey resigns from St. Paul schools
by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio
June 27, 2005

St. Paul School Superintendent Pat Harvey announced Monday she is resigning her position at the end of the year. Her decision comes shortly after she was passed over for the superintendent's job in Denver. (MPR file photo)

St. Paul, Minn. — St. Paul public schools Superintendent Pat Harvey says she plans to resign at the end of December.

Harvey lost out in her bid to become the superintendent in Denver. She was one of three finalists for the job. School officials there announced Monday that Michael Bennet was their unanimous pick.

Harvey says she continues to look for ways to make a meaningful difference in education. She also doesn't want to put St. Paul through more uncertainty about her future.

"This is an itch that I will continue to scratch," says Harvey. "My career has to be made based upon trying to do the most that I can do. And I want that to be fair for St. Paul as well."

Harvey, 58, has headed the St. Paul schools since 1999. In pursuing the Denver job, Harvey had said she realized Denver was where the real professional challenge was, and her desire to stay in St. Paul had to do mostly with strong personal connections.

In 2002, when the Portland, Ore., schools announced Harvey was one of two finalists for the superintendent's job there, St. Paul's political and business leaders pleaded with her to stay. She later withdrew from consideration for the post.

Harvey has been superintendent in St. Paul since 1999. She says she is not currently a candidate for any other jobs, but will pursue opportunities that might be offered.