St. Louis Park Superintendent’s Salary to Exceed $270,000 by 2030
The school board voted to extend the contract a year early, citing the high cost of a leadership search, while teachers point to growing class sizes and limited resources.
By Nour Haddad ·
Superintendent Carlondra Hines’ compensation will rise from approximately $260,000 to more than $270,000 by 2030, according to a contract extension approved by the St. Louis Park school board last week. The agreement secures Hines’ position for three years, a decision made one year ahead of the original schedule.
Board members justified the early move by pointing to the financial and logistical burdens of conducting a new leadership search. Virginia Mancini, the chair of the board, described the search process as labor-intensive, destabilizing, and costly. She explained that the early contract serves as a courtesy to Hines and ensures operational stability for the district.
Sarah Davis, another board member, provided a specific financial comparison to support the vote. Davis stated that hiring a new superintendent at this stage would result in higher total costs. She noted that the district would also have to pay for a search firm and additional board meetings, which carry their own compensation fees.
Teachers and parents expressed disagreement during the public comment period, arguing that district spending should prioritize classroom needs over administrative pay. Kate McDonald, a district teacher, emphasized that the issue extends beyond compensation to a matter of trust. She stated that every dollar spent reflects the district’s core values and beliefs.
Meghan Settingsgard, who is both a parent and a teacher in St. Louis Park, cited specific classroom conditions to illustrate her concerns. She reported that average class sizes have exceeded thirty students, with some rooms reaching 36 or 37. Settingsgard also pointed to shortages in textbooks and online learning tools, asking if administrative compensation is being prioritized over student impact.
The district spokesperson told KSTP 5 Eyewitness News on Wednesday that she could not provide information regarding the accuracy of the reported class sizes or the district's plans to address them. The outlet indicated it will continue to seek clarification on how the board balances administrative costs with classroom resources.
