Anoka-Hennepin gets interim schools chief

Last update: November 14, 2008 - 11:09 PM

Retired Anoka-Hennepin schools administrator Dennis Carlson has been named by the school board to serve as the district's interim superintendent.

Carlson, who retired as associate superintendent, will begin work Dec. 1. That allows for some transition time before current Superintendent Roger Giroux leaves Dec. 31.

Carlson started his career in education 40 years ago as an art teacher in Wisconsin. He was a community education director in the Glencoe and Elk River school districts. He was hired by Anoka-Hennepin as its community education director in 1986.

In 2003, he was appointed assistant to the superintendent, and in 2005, he was named associate superintendent. In that capacity, he worked with legislation, planning and referendum campaigns. He also supervised community education, technology and employee services.

The school board hopes to hire a new superintendent by March. Two firms have been hired for a nationwide search. Finalists are tentatively slated to interview with the school board in January and February.

Meanwhile, the Robbinsdale school board set a timetable for replacing Superintendent Stan Mack, who announced his retirement last month. According to the board's timetable, the district will hire a search firm by mid-December, bring the candidates in for interviews and meetings in February and March, and have a new superintendent selected by March or April. Mack said he will retire at the end of the school year.

NORMAN DRAPER