Senior Leadership Announcements

Minneapolis Public Schools is welcoming two new leaders to Superintendent Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams’ senior leadership team. Ty Thompson will join MPS as the Deputy Superintendent and Tom Parent will join MPS as the Senior Operations Officer. 

Ms. Thompson will provide leadership to the Associate Superintendents and Communications and Engagement; Equity and School Climate; Partnerships and External Relations; Strategic Planning; and Student Support Services departments. As she joins MPS, Ms. Thompson shared, "It is an honor to join the team at MPS. I am excited for the work ahead of delivering on our mission, vision, and commitment for all students and their families."

Ms. Thompson has more than 20 years of experience in public education including as a bilingual (Spanish) elementary school teacher in California and Minnesota, and as a secondary principal and district administrator in St. Paul Public Schools and ISD 622 (North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Schools). Ms. Thompson currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent in ISD 622, and she has a Master’s in Education degree and an Administrative Licensure Certificate, both from the University of Minnesota.

Tom Parent will join MPS as the Senior Operations Officer, providing leadership to the Capital Planning, Construction, Maintenance & Operations; Culinary & Wellness Services (CWS); Information Technology; Risk Management; and Transportation departments. When asked about his new role Tom shared, “I’m excited to work with the professionals in the Operations division to make sure every facet of a student’s school experience is cared for. It’s an honor to be part of the team making it happen for MPS kids!”

Following a career as an architect, Mr. Parent entered the public education field and has served in several operational leadership capacities in St. Paul Public Schools over the past 13 years, including as a Manager of Facility Planning, Director of Facilities, and Executive Director of Operations and Administration, a role he currently holds. Mr. Parent is a licensed architect and has a Master’s of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota.