After nearly a decade leading St. Louis Park schools, Superintendent Debra Bowers recently announced she'll leave the district in June.

Bowers, 60, who has worked in education for more than 38 years, is still looking to stay within education, she said in a statement. She's been St. Louis Park's superintendent since 2004, after working as a school leader in Elk River, Robbinsdale and Minneapolis. Recently, she joined the Advisory Council of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.

She's made headlines over the years for leading successful referendums and the start of new programs such as a high school program for at-risk students, but also navigating budget cuts and controversies such as a parent's unsuccessful request to ban a famous novel.

She announced last week she won't ask the school board to renew her contract when it ends June 30. The board will search for a new school leader, but didn't have details yet on that process.