District Announces New Countryside Principal

The Edina School District has selected the successor to longtime Principal Julie Hatzung.

Karen Bergman, who currently serves as principal of two elementary schools in the Farmington Area School District, will begin working in Edina on July 1.

Superintendent Ric Dressen said he’s excited to have Bergman joining the district.

“Karen has a wealth of leadership skills and talents that will be a great asset to Countryside and our District as we pursue our commitment of success for all students,” Dressen said.

Bergman previously worked as both an elementary classroom teacher, director of curriculum and as an instruction/program coordinator within the Farmington school district. She also taught for Brookings Public Schools in South Dakota.

She sits on both the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ and South Suburban Principals’ associations, in addition to serving as co-chairperson on the Farmington Area Public School’s United Way Campaign.

Bergman was one of two candidates up for the position, alongside Tracy Reimer, who is currently a principal in Annandale Public School District.

The School Board is set to officially approve the hiring of Bergman at its May 16 meeting.

Bergman will take the place of Hatzung, who has served as Countryside’s principal for 10 years. Hatzung will retire at the conclusion of the current school year.