SLP Schools Superintendent Finalists Narrowed to Three

St. Louis Park Public Schools has revealed the names of the three finalists being considered to be the school district's next superintendent. 

The three final candidates emerged after the School Board interviewed seven semi-finalists this week. They include:

• Robert Metz, Principal at St. Louis Park High School
• Dr. Efe Agbamu, Executive Director of the Office of Multilingual Learning at St. Paul Public Schools
• Dr. Nancy Rajanen, Superintendent at Waconia Public Schools

All three will be taking part in all-day interviews in St. Louis Park next week, Tuesday through Thursday, May 7-9. Metz will be up first on May 7, followed by Agbamu on May 8 and Rajanen on May 9.

Community members interested in meeting the prospective superintendents can attend special interviews with each of them, from 5-6 p.m. each day in the gymnasium of St. Louis Park Middle School. Members of the public are invited to attend the meetings and ask questions of the three candidates.

The School Board members will select a new superintendent on May 9, then take part in contract negotiations through May 22 at the latest. The School Board would likely take action on the contract at either its May 13 or May 28 meeting, with the new superintendent assuming regular duties on July 1.

This March, district officials, residents, instructors and School Board members worked together to generate a profile of the ideal superintendent candidate. That profile includes attributes like being "a visionary, strategic leader," possessing excellent communication skills, advocating for students supporting a focus on academic excellence and having a "strong understanding of school finance."

The full profile is available on the district's website.

St. Louis Park Public Schools have been seeking a new superintendent after Dr. Debra Bowers announced she would be leaving the district this past January. Bowers' current contract runs through June 30, though she opted not to seek a renewal after nine years in the position.

The district has been working with Highland Park, IL-based School Exec Connect to help in the superintendent search.

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