I am proud to endorse Dr. Laurie Putnam for MASA President-Elect. She is an exceptional leader whom I deeply admire and respect. As the Superintendent of the St. Cloud Area School District, Dr. Putnam leads with unwavering compassion, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to student success.
Her greatest strength is her ability to build strong, inclusive communities within her diverse district. She understands that every child, family, and school has unique needs, and she approaches leadership with thoughtfulness, care, and a dedication to equity. Dr. Putnam’s vision and passion for public education will serve MASA leaders and school districts well, ensuring a future of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. I wholeheartedly support her candidacy.
I am excited to add my recommendation for Superintendent Laurie Putnam as the next MASA President-Elect. I cannot speak highly enough of Laurie’s contributions to the educational, social, emotional, and cultural needs of St. Cloud’s schools and communities. She is disciplined, intelligent, and articulate with boundless life and professional experiences that contribute to the infinite potential of educating Minnesota’s children. I am certain she will continue to impress and excel as President of Minnesota Association of School Administers.
As a visionary leader who focuses on collaboration, Laurie has built strong regional, state, and business partnerships to improve educational outcomes. She understands that collaboration—not isolation—is key to strengthening public schools, ensuring that superintendents across Minnesota have the resources and networks to succeed. Her leadership in AMSD, the Central Lakes Conference, and MASA Region 6 uniquely positions her to unify voices from urban, suburban, and rural districts.
Laurie doesn’t just talk about solutions—she implements them, thus leaving a wide trail of innovation and action. We cannot overlook that she has successfully launched initiatives like the MN Thought Leaders Summit to bring together education leaders for forward-thinking discussions on the future of education. Additionally, her leadership in securing over $7 million in grants for her district demonstrates her ability to bring real resources to schools, supporting students and staff alike.
In a time when public education faces political and financial pressures, I appreciate Laurie’s bold and articulate advocate for its value. I am confident that she will work hard to ensure that schools have the funding, autonomy, and support necessary to provide high-quality education for all students as a relentless advocate for public education, and we need that now, more than ever!
I am very much in agreement with Laurie’s leadership philosophy as a leader who puts kids first: every decision we education leaders must serve the best interests of kids. From her work in expanding career pathways and Future100 to her commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, she embodies the belief that public education should prepare every student for success, regardless of background.
The unique intersectionality that Laurie Putnam offers educational leaders, students, and the future of Minnesota cannot be ignored. As an experienced educator and administrator, she will bring her distinct understanding of diverse communities, experiences, and ongoing challenges that will expand understanding and empathy for all. Combined with her leadership experiences, Laurie offers MASA a valuable opportunity to reverse backward trends in education, build collaboration, and prepare our students from the very youngest to continuing education for an uncertain and challenging future.
I urge you to consider Laurie Putnam seriously for the next MASA President-Elect, please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
I have been very impressed with Laurie’s willingness to pull leaders together to learn about key issues in education. She has shown her willingness to go above and beyond on behalf of school leaders. I think she would be a great candidate for MASA president.
Laurie Putnam has humbly, yet convincingly shown herself to be a strong educational leader. She has provided collaborative space for educators and leaders from across sectors to come together to engage in important discussions about AI, she has developed important partnerships that have advanced student career opportunities in St. Cloud, and she has advocated for common sense policy at the legislature. I believe Dr. Putnam is not only the type of female superintendent MASA has worked hard to attract to its ranks - she is the type of superintendent all members can look to as an example of excellent leadership.
As a leader in the adjacent community to Superintendent Putnam, I have been able to see her dedication to serving people first hand. My first time meeting her was at a presentation over a decade ago. The knowledge and passion that she showcased for building systems of support for all students was life changing for me. No matter if it was that first meeting, through contracted presentations with her, or working alongside as a collaborative partner, I have always walked away enriched and inspired. While empowering people through her curiosities, engaging dialogue, and passion for making the world a better place through the development of our youth, she uplifts everyone around her. It is with great confidence that I endorse Superintendent Putnam for MASA president. She will undoubtedly lead with vision and an unwavering commitment to develop deep connections that best serve ALL students.
I am extremely honored to endorse Laurie Putnam for MASA President-Elect. Her innovative leadership and visionary approaches are transformational, ensuring every student and family receives the support they need to thrive. With a laser-focused commitment to excellence, she brings people together to drive meaningful change and create sustainable solutions to complex issues. Laurie’s steadfast dedication to public education and her ability to lead with both courage and collaboration make her the ideal choice to advance MASA’s mission and impact.