New MMSD Superintendent Subject of Lawsuit in Saint Paul

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (WMDX) – Two former staffers of the Saint Paul School District are suing the district, specifically citing new Madison superintendent Joe Gothard. 

The complaint alleges that the district misused COVID-19 relief money, and the two employees who discussed it were later fired. They claim that Gothard told one of them to “get creative” with the budget numbers, according to reporting from TwinCities.com.

It also alleges that Gothard threw a 300-person staff party using $10,000 in public funds for food trucks. 

Gothard led the Saint Paul School District for years. He was named Minnesota Superintendent of the Year, and later National Superintendent of the Year. 

He’s a Madison native, and came back in May to lead the school district. This is his first school year with MMSD. 

The Madison Metropolitan School District issued a statement that said they will not be commenting on pending litigation.