Watertown school leader heading to Red Wing

The superintendent of Watertown-Mayer schools in Carver County is leaving to lead the school district in Red Wing.

Karsten Anderson recently told the school board that he had accepted the top spot. Anderson's contract in the 1,500-student west-metro district ends June 30.

"There are a lot of opportunities," he said of Red Wing. "But we're going to miss our friends and colleagues in Watertown."

Anderson, who led the district for 10 years, will replace Red Wing Superintendent Stan Slessor, who is retiring after seven years.

The school board in Red Wing, a 2,800-student district, is expected to approve Anderson's contract March 7.

The Watertown-Mayer school board meets Thursday to discuss a search for Anderson's replacement.

Watertown board chair John McCain said Anderson has been a strong leader in "good times in the mid-2000s ... and recently in tough times."

The district passed a levy increase in 2001 and building referendum in 2005 that led to a new high school addition, new elementary school and middle school renovations.

In recent years, the district has seen enrollment fall, had to make three years of budget cuts and had an operating levy fail last fall.

Anderson's salary was $120,000 in Watertown. A Red Wing contract hasn't been drafted. He will take over July 1.

Before joining Watertown-Mayer schools, Anderson spent 10 years as a teacher, principal and superintendent in Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley schools in west-central Minnesota.

KELLY SMITH