Curman Gaines, the former superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools, recently died at the age of 82.  Gaines was named superintendent of the district in 1991, becoming the first African-American to lead the school system, the second largest in Minnesota. In 1995, he received the Green-Garner Award, the nation’s top award in urban-education leadership, from the Council of the Great City Schools. 

Gaines served as superintendent until 1998. Before he was selected to lead the Saint Paul school system, he served as a teacher and building administrator in the district for 20 years.

In a statement, Saint Paul Public Schools superintendent Joe Gothard said he was saddened by news of the passing of Gaines. “Those who knew him say he had a way of helping people feel good about their work and themselves, both students and staff,” said Gothard. “…SPPS is a better organization today because of the many years of contributions by Dr. Curman Gaines."