St. Louis Park board approves 2025–30 strategic plan, hires leaders and moves several personnel items

The St. Louis Park School Board on May 27 approved a 2025–30 strategic plan, confirmed multiple personnel agreements and took votes on probationary staffing at a regular business meeting.

The board voted 7‑0 to adopt the district’s 2025–30 strategic plan and a “Portrait of a Learner” that sets mission, vision, three district commitments and six learner traits the district will prioritize over the next five years. Superintendent Dr. Hines said the plan resulted from community listening sessions and consulting work and will guide family‑engagement and professional‑learning priorities.

Votes at a glance (key actions and outcomes): - Strategic plan 2025–30: approved (motion: Director Anderson; second: Director Williams). Vote: 7‑0. - Assistant superintendent contract (2025–26) and appointment of Dr. Cooper (from Eden Prairie): approved. Motion: Virginia (mover); second: Adia Kim. Vote: 7‑0. Director Louie summarized a 23‑candidate search and said the one‑year contract aligns the assistant superintendent with the executive director cycle. - Executive director of assessment, research and evaluation (2025–26 contract): approved (motion: Director Abraham; second: Director Casey). Vote: 7‑0. - Principal appointment, Susan Lindgren (Rebecca Bang, assistant principal from Northfield): approved. Vote: 7‑0. - Fourth‑year probation employee agreement (offer of additional probationary year rather than nonrenewal): approved. Vote: 7‑0. - Motion to forego public reading of individual names of probationary nonrenewal staff: approved by roll call (Clerk Anderson recorded ayes from Chair Cox, Vice Chair Mancini, Director Williams, Director Abraham, Director Davis, Director Anderson, Director Casey). - Resolution approving nonrenewal of 14 probationary staff contracts for 2022–25: approved by roll call (recorded ayes from chair and directors; clerk performed roll). Vote recorded as unanimous. - Consent agenda (business and personnel items, minutes, board meeting date changes, Minnesota State High School League resolution): approved. Vote: 7‑0. - Policy 409 (employee publications, instructional materials, interventions and creations): board moved to table the item for further community and staff input and set a final vote for the June 24 business meeting. Motion to table: approved 7‑0.

During personnel discussions Director Louie (district staff) noted that contracts for assistant superintendent and executive directors were structured as one‑year administrative contracts to align those positions’ cycles with other executive personnel; salary details were described as part of administrative grouping and not printed in the public offer document presented to the board.

On probationary staffing the board followed statutory procedures for teachers: the district described Minnesota practice for probationary (first three years) teachers and said the board is offering an additional probationary year in one case to allow coaching and supports rather than nonrenewal. Clerk Anderson conducted roll calls required by district policy for the nonrenewal resolution.

Ending: The board completed a full business agenda, approved the strategic plan, took multiple personnel votes and deferred final action on Policy 409 to the June 24 meeting to allow staff and community comment.