Board approves assistant superintendent hire after divided vote; several directors dissent

The Robbinsdale Area School Board voted 5–2 on April 22 to accept the licensed personnel report that included the hire of a new assistant superintendent.

Director Bowman moved the personnel motion and Director Bassett seconded it. The clerk conducted a roll-call vote: Director Bowman, Director Bassett, Chair Evans Becker, Director Hillenbrand and Director Wouto voted yes; Director Long and Director Holmes voted no. The motion carried, 5–2.

Superintendent (identified in the transcript as Superintendent Stalo) described one-on-one discussions she had held with each board director in advance of the personnel action and defended using contract language to set compensation, saying the district had a strong candidate pool and that the new assistant superintendent will absorb duties from two prior cabinet positions as part of a broader cabinet restructuring. Several directors opposed the personnel report, citing concerns about transparency, timing and district budget deficits.

Director Holmes said she could not support the report because she had open questions about compensation changes and the process; Director Long also voted no and urged stronger emphasis on direct student supports amid a multimillion-dollar deficit. Director Bowman and others said adding experienced leadership was necessary to support the superintendent’s agenda and rebuild district capacity.

The board did not reverse the hire at the meeting. The superintendent said the new assistant superintendent would begin work and that the board would have an opportunity to meet the new hire at a future board meeting.