Leadership Announcement for Benjamin E. Mays

Dear Benjamin E. Mays Community, 

I am pleased to share with you that I have selected a new leader for Benjamin E. Mays and our Afrocentric program. Please join me in welcoming Danielle Hughes as your school’s principal beginning in the 2025-26 school year, and as we transition to the new Afrocentric program in 2026-27. 

Principal Hughes has served as an assistant principal at Frost Lake Elementary School for the last two school years. While there, she has created and launched an equity and racial strategic plan. Principal Hughes has also led and supported racial affinity groups for students and staff, student podcasting, and an equity committee promoting identity, belonging, and inclusive leadership.

Prior to her time at Frost Lake, Principal Hughes was an equity coach within Saint Paul Public Schools and a special education teacher. She’s also served as a mentor and affinity group facilitator in our partnership with the University of St. Thomas.

Principal Hughes has her Educational Specialist degree and K-12 Principal Licensure from Hamline University, and her Masters in Special Education from St. Thomas. 

To help Principal Hughes learn more about Benjamin E. Mays, please take a moment to complete a short survey about your values and priorities for the Benjamin E. Mays school community.

We will work together to determine different opportunities to meet and engage with Principal Hughes before school starts in the fall. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Superintendent Nancy Páez at nancy.paez@spps.org.

Thank you for supporting your child and Benjamin E. Mays.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent