Mendota Heights Area Superintendent to Retire at End of School Year

Superintendent Nancy Allen-Mastro has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year. Dr. Allen-Mastro has been an educator for more than 30 years, first as a teacher and then as an administrator. She became Superintendent of West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools (District 197) in July 2012.

“It has been deeply rewarding to spend the last five years of my career in District 197,” said Allen-Mastro in a statement. “I am grateful to staff, the school board, district parents and our community for their passion and commitment to our students. I believe we have accomplished a great deal together, and my time in West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Schools will remain a career highlight for me in many ways.”

According to school officials, during Dr. Allen-Mastro’s time as Superintendent, District 197 has had many notable accomplishments:

• The revision and revitalization of the district’s Strategic Framework, including a commitment to the Framework’s six strategic goals Increased academic achievement
• Continued growth in enrollment
• The opening of the Early Learning and Family Resource Center
• Passage of three funding questions for security, technology and general operating expenses
• The implementation of EmPowerED, the district’s plan for personalized, digital learning K-12
• Continued budget stability and diligent management of the district’s finances
• The addition of multi-tiered academic supports for students
• A new middle school schedule
• A new model for gifted and talented programming
• Implementation of a review cycle to ensure a guaranteed and viable K-12 curriculum
• The installation of a collaborative team model for staff
• A focus on career and college readiness including, a revamping of the secondary counseling program, the addition of full time counselors in each elementary school and the implementation of the electronic career planning portfolio, Naviance, for grades 7-12
• High community approval ratings, with 93% of residents saying they are proud of District 197 schools and would recommend them to others

“I leave at a time when the district has tremendous momentum,” said Allen-Mastro. “I look forward to working with teachers and staff to finish the year strong and I feel confident that district will be in a very positive position for the next superintendent.”

In the coming weeks the school board will determine next steps and develop a plan for selecting a new superintendent, with the goal of choosing a candidate by June 2017, according to a news release.

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