SLP High Principal Robert Metz Selected as New Superintendent

The SLP School Board unanimously selected Metz to become the district's new superintendent on Thursday, May 9.

A familiar face is set to take the helm of St. Louis Park Public Schools later this summer, as SLP High School Principal Robert Metz has been selected to serve as the district's next superintendent. Metz was one of three finalists who took part in all-day interviews earlier this week, alongside Dr. Efe Agbamu, executive director of the Office of Multilingual Learning with St. Paul Public Schools, and Dr. Nancy Rajanen, superintendent of Waconia Public Schools. The School Board unanimously selected Metz as its new superintendent on Thursday, May 9, and agreed to begin contract negotiations. Metz will replace outgoing Superintendent Dr. Debra Bowers, whose contract ends on June 30. Bowers has been superintendent of St. Louis Park Public …

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Pollock Named Permanent Principal at Aquila

He’s been the school’s interim principal since the district placed the former principal on leave in 2011.

Pollock Named Permanent Principal at Aquila

He’s been the school’s interim principal since the district placed the former principal on leave in 2011.

The St. Louis Park school district selected Aquila Elementary School’s longtime interim principal to be the school’s permanent head, the district announced Tuesday. Clarence Pollock has been Aquila’s interim principal since April 2011, when the district placed former principal Freida Bailey on leave. Parents, including several members of the school's parent-teacher organization, accused Bailey of mishandling three bullying incidents, "lacking school spirit" and displaying poor leadership that—they claimed—created a poor learning environment for their children. Pollock took the job as interim principal after having been the assistant principal at St. Louis Park High School between 2004 and 2011. He’s also been a: Pollock received a …

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Sandy Hook Shooting Impacting SLP Schools

District officials opted to install an unspecified number of cameras near school buildings as a security measure.

The tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut is reportedly causing St. Louis Park schools to re-examine their own security plans and procedures. The Sun Sailor reports district officials have conducted five annual lockdown drills so far this school year—which is the state mandate. Visitors to SLP schools are also required to use an intercom system to gain entrance to school buildings. Perhaps the biggest change is an increase in the number of cameras near district buildings, courtesy of district health and safety funds. No details are available on the exact price of those cameras or the locations they were installed, according to the Sun Sailor. "It’s one of those situations where we were really safe and always have …

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St. Louis Park Superintendent Bowers Resigns

Debra Bowers has been with St. Louis Park Schools as superintendent since 2004. She will stay through June 30, which is when her contract expires.

SLP District Might Build School Additions

'Temporary additions at elementary schools could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars while permanent additions of four classrooms would cost an estimated $3.2 million, according to Paul Aplikowski of Wold Architects and Engineers.'

St. Louis Park District 'Deeply Saddened' By Newtown Shooting

A statement from the district says, 'Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and that community.'

The St. Louis Park School District has released a statement about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT: We at St. Louis Park Public Schools are deeply saddened to hear of the news of the elementary school shooting in Connecticut. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and that community. Safety is our first priority, and we are proactive in taking measures to keep students and staff safe. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school principal.  For additional resources, visit the National Association of School Psychologists website at www.nasponline.org. More Newtown coverage on St. Louis Park Patch: For up-to-the-minute information, see Newtown Patch. Follow us on Twitter  |  …

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School Board Hosting Listening Session at Aquila Elementary

Members of the public are invited to take part in an open dialogue with board members from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15.

The St. Louis Park School Board will be all ears this Thursday, when members take part in a listening session at Aquila Elementary School. The session is one of three the group is hosting this fall, designed to provide an opportunity for students, parents, staff and community members to have an open dialogue with the Board. Residents interested in bringing an issue forward can show up at the Aquila Elementary Media Center from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15. Two or three members of the School Board will attend the listening session, then will bring back feedback to the full board at future meetings. If nobody shows up to speak during the first 30 minutes of the listening session, it will be canceled at that point. Like St. Louis Park …

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Aquila Advocate Named Newest School Board Member

Ken Morrison will be taking over for Pam Rykken.

The St. Louis Park School Board has appointed Ken Morrison to its vacant seat. Morrison, who has been active with the Aquila Elementary PTO and the District Parent Advisory Council, will be sworn in on Oct. 22 and serve through November 2013, when the seat will again be up for election. A spot was open on the seven-member board due to Pam Rykken's resignation in August. Rykken, who joined the board in 2008, said she was stepping down due to personal reasons.   Morrison said he wants to be a voice for those that aren't always heard at school board meetings. As a past chair and co-chair of the Aquila PTO, Morrison said looking at issues of educational equality were key. According to the most recent state data available, 48 percent of Aquila …

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Finalists Announced for School Board Vacancy

There is one open seat due to Pam Rykken's resignation.

The St. Louis Park School Board has five finalists for its one vacant seat. Those finalists are: A spot is open on the seven-member board due to Pam Rykken's resignation in August. Rykken, who joined the board in 2008, said she was stepping down due to personal reasons.  The board will interview the finalists on Oct. 15 and possibly Oct. 16, with a decision expected to come one of those two days. Whoever is chosen will serve until the next school board election in November 2013. The remaining two years of Rykken’s term will be on the ballot. Three other four-year seats will also be up for grabs. Here is how the board looks following Rykken's resignation:

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