This summer, a new superintendent will take the helm at Mounds View schools: Chris Lennox, a district assistant superintendent.

The school board appointed Lennox at Tuesday's meeting on the heels of Superintendent Dan Hoverman's retirement announcement a couple weeks ago. Lennox's term begins July 1, pending contract negotiations, and the agreement will be official at the April 26 board meeting.

Lennox came to Mounds View schools in 2015 after turns at Bloomington, Stillwater and South St. Paul schools. He's been the district's assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction since then.

He was assistant superintendent at Bloomington schools for three years, assistant superintendent of learning and instruction at Stillwater schools for four years and has served as building principal a few times.

"When we hired Chris last year, we positioned the district with a unique opportunity to see how he would perform on a daily basis leading our schools by working alongside Superintendent Hoverman," board chair Amy Jones said in a district release.

"It became clear that he has the characteristics necessary to find success as our next leader," Jones added.

The school board outlined a list of criteria it mandated for the next superintendent, which included being able to mold a respectful culture, manage delegation and shared leadership and build school and community partnerships with "all stakeholders in the community," the release said.

"Chris not only matches these characteristics, but he also has experience leading a metro school district of a similar size, with similar demographics, and one that has two high schools," said board member Jonathan Weinhagen in the release.

Hoverman has been superintendent for nine years and been with Mounds View schools for 41 years. He announced his retirement for the end of the school year at the March 29 board meeting.

Above: Chris Lennox. Headshot courtesy of Mounds View Public Schools.