St. Louis Park Superintendence: Early Contract Extension
Board members cite cost savings and stability as reasons for approving a three-year deal a year ahead of schedule, despite vocal opposition from educators.
By Nathan Brooks ·
The St. Louis Park school board approved a three-year contract extension for Superintendent Carlondra Hines on Wednesday. The board voted to finalize the deal one year earlier than originally scheduled. The new agreement increases Hines’ compensation from approximately $260,000 in the first year to over $270,000 by 2030. Board members stated the early move was intended to prevent a disruptive and expensive leadership search.
Teachers and parents voiced strong opposition during the meeting. Kate McDonald, a district teacher, argued that the timing of the vote matters as much as the pay figure. “Compensation is only one part of the issue with the proposed early vote today. Trust is another,” McDonald said. She emphasized that financial decisions reflect the district’s core values to staff and families.
Meghan Settingsgard, a parent and teacher, raised concerns about classroom resources. She noted that average class sizes have exceeded thirty students, with some rooms reaching 36 or 37. Settingsgard pointed out that textbooks and online learning tools are running short. “Are we putting our resources where they will have the greatest impact on students, or are we prioritizing administrative compensation while classroom needs continue to go unmet?” she asked the board.
Virginia Mancini, the school board chair, defended the early extension as a standard administrative practice. She described the process of finding a new superintendent as labor-intensive and destabilizing. Mancini said the board compared Hines’ salary to those in similar districts. “My child was in the district, and we had a leadership vacuum. So, the reason why we did this in advance is not because we are different from any other district, because this is the process,” Mancini explained.
Board member Sarah Davis highlighted the financial implications of waiting. She stated that hiring a replacement would require paying a search firm and holding additional paid board meetings. “I just want to be abundantly clear with everybody that we would pay more for another superintendent if we did that at this point,” Davis said. She added that the current deal avoids these extra costs.
The district has not yet responded to specific questions about class size data or plans to reduce classroom loads. A district spokesperson told KSTP 5 Eyewitness News that she could not provide that information on Wednesday. The outlet plans to continue seeking answers from district leadership.
