Robbinsdale Area School Board approves administrative changes for next school year

Several administrative changes for the 2015-16 school year were recently approved by the Robbinsdale Area School Board, including the appointment of new principals at FAIR Crystal and Cooper High School.

· Current Cooper High School Principal Christina Hester will become the new principal at FAIR Crystal. She brings with her the experience not only of being a high school principal at Cooper, but also serving as a principal at two middle schools.

“I’m very excited about this new opportunity,” Hester said. “This is right in my wheelhouse.”

· Frank Herman, the current assistant principal at Highview Learning Center, will become the new Cooper High School principal. He worked at Cooper prior to his time at Highview, and has also been the head principal at a comprehensive high school and alternative high school. Herman will continue to head the district’s career and college readiness efforts while serving in his new role.

“It’s really exciting for me to be going back to Cooper,” Herman said. “Four years ago, I started at Cooper, and I fell in love with what it all stood for, with its students, talented staff and community.”

· Mary Haney, the current principal at FAIR Crystal, will become the program director for alternative learning and secondary literacy. Haney brings not only her experience as a principal, but also experience working for the Minnesota Department of Education and as a consultant.

“I feel very excited about this opportunity, particularly to build relationships with students and families at Highview,” Haney said. “There are innovations I feel are possible for all students.”

Each of the changes will go into effect Wednesday, July 1. The action was unanimously approved by the School Board during its meeting Monday, March 16.