St. Louis Park Superintendent: Contract extended a year early
The school board approved a three-year deal for Carlondra Hines that increases her salary to over $270,000 by 2030, sparking debate about district spending.
By Rosa Fuentes ·
St. Louis Park school officials moved to secure their top administrator's future before it was strictly necessary. At a meeting last week, the board voted to extend Superintendent Carlondra Hines' contract three years ahead of schedule.
The new agreement adjusts Hines' pay from approximately $260,000 in the first year to more than $270,000 by 2030. Board members cited the high cost and disruption of a new leadership search as the primary reason for the early extension.
Virginia Mancini, the board chair, described the superintendent search process as labor-intensive and destabilizing. She said the district compared salaries in similar school districts to ensure the offer was competitive. Mancini also noted that the district previously experienced a leadership vacuum, which informed the decision to act proactively.
Teachers and parents expressed concern that administrative compensation is taking precedence over classroom needs. Kate McDonald, a district teacher, argued that trust is a major factor in the controversy. Meghan Settingsgard, a parent and teacher, pointed to rising class sizes and stretched resources as evidence of competing priorities.
Settingsgard stated that average class sizes are now over thirty students, with some classrooms reaching 36 or 37. She noted that textbooks and online learning tools are running short. Board member Sarah Davis countered that hiring a new superintendent would cost more in immediate expenses, including search firm fees and additional board meeting costs.
Mancini called the early contract a courtesy to Hines and a method to keep the district running smoothly. She emphasized that this is a standard process in other districts as well. The board believes the move will maintain stability without the financial burden of a new search.
A district spokesperson said she could not provide information on the accuracy of the class size numbers or plans to reduce them on Wednesday. The district has not yet responded to questions about the balance between administrative spending and classroom resources.
