Steven Unowsky's colleagues at the St. Paul public schools describe him as a high-energy guy with a passion for urban education.
Those traits were equally obvious to members of the Richfield school board, who on Wednesday tapped Unowsky to be the diverse district's new superintendent.
"He's had a very good experience in St. Paul and seems to have a good worldview," school board Chairman Todd Nollenberger said. "It's clear he is passionately committed to providing equitable opportunities to all students."
Unowsky, currently an assistant superintendent in St. Paul, will replace retiring Superintendent Robert Slotterback, who has been with the district since 2008.
Unowsky, 43, inherits a district that has recently had seen success at narrowing the achievement gap between white students and students of color.
School leaders say they hope to have a contract with Unowsky finalized in the coming weeks. The advertised salary for the position was $170,000 to $185,000
When the Minnesota Department of Education released new graduation rate data last week, Richfield had the highest percentage increase from 2012 to 2013 of any metro area district.
Similarly, its Sheridan Hills Elementary, once dubbed a failure under the state's old accountability system for schools, has experienced a remarkable turnaround, skyrocketing up in new school rankings.
