Richfield approves organizational-chart changes; superintendent outlines temporary leadership experiment and three administrative reductions

The Richfield School Board approved changes to the district organizational chart and position assignments on Monday, reflecting recent and imminent leadership departures and a short-term restructuring intended to test new reporting models.

Superintendent Steve Unowski told trustees that the changes reflect ongoing transitions: Dr. Latanya Daniels will leave to become a superintendent in Burnsville and Dr. Clarkson indicated plans to retire at the end of the next school year. Unowski said he and district leaders will “try this for a year, see how it works” and described an “extended cabinet” model that adds building principals and certain directors to senior leadership discussions.

Key changes and clarifications announced to the board: - Senior executive titles: Craig (last name not stated) and Mary (last name not stated in transcript) move into senior-executive roles with blended instruction/operations responsibilities. - Three administrative reductions in the current budget year: the assistant superintendent position will not be replaced; the director of extended learning role has been removed (the incumbent retains some responsibilities in a different assignment); and one special-education supervisor position has been eliminated. - Temporary reporting adjustments: some staff will have dual reporting lines (for example, an activities director will report jointly to Principal Stacy Collins and to Craig) to preserve building-level oversight while maintaining district coordination.

Unowski told the board the configuration is intentionally experimental and that additional adjustments would follow after a year of implementation. “We are trying some different things this year because…we need to have different voices, different faces, different partners on our team,” he said, noting efforts to broaden leadership perspectives and reduce costs.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about dual-reporting arrangements, performance-review responsibilities, and the rationale for reductions. Administration said principals or immediate supervisors will perform day-to-day performance reviews while district leaders will collaborate on goals and oversight.

Motion and vote: Director Spencer moved to approve Policy 301 (organizational chart) and Policy 302 (position assignments); Director Cole seconded. The board approved the policies by voice vote.

Unowski and trustees said they will revisit the chart as needed and adjust the structure if operational issues arise during the trial year.