Forest Lake Area Schools Superintendent Steve Massey will retire at the end of the school year.
Massey, 62, of Forest Lake, announced his retirement during the school board meeting on Thursday night. His last day will be June 30.
Superintendent Steve Massey (Courtesy of Forest Lake Area Schools)
“It has been my greatest honor to serve the students, families and staff of this amazing community and school district for the past 27 years,” Massey said. “My greatest desire has always been to lead the district to a better place during my tenure as superintendent.”
Massey, who has been superintendent since 2017, was in the final year of a three-year contract.
School Board Chairman Curt Rebelein said Friday that he has already started the process of looking for Massey’s replacement.
“It was a shock to us all, but I think Steve is leaving behind a really good legacy, and I wish him well in his retirement,” Rebelein said. “It’s an exciting time for him. He’s been a great superintendent in a lot of ways for Forest Lake Area Schools. He has led us through some pretty major, pretty amazing changes the last couple of years.”
Several controversial issues have come before the Forest Lake Area School Board this year, including whether to remove specific bans on symbols like swastikas, the KKK and the Confederate flag on clothing.
But Rebelein said that much of that “friction” has “settled down.”
“The majority of our meetings haven’t been as contentious as they were at that time of the year, so I hope things are starting to normalize for us. But only time will tell,” he said.
Rebelein said the new superintendent will have their hands full dealing with elementary-school boundary changes that go into effect next fall.
“I want to get the search going as quickly as I can because I’m really interested in attracting the top talent,” he said. “I’m working on just a very basic job description, so I can work with our director of human resources to get the position posted and start seeing what kind of interest we have.”
Massey’s departure will leave a “gaping hole” in the district, said board member Gail Theisen at Thursday’s meeting.
“Your have shown us what teamwork is and how to be strong and respectful,” she said. “We will carry on the good work, having learned from you. We will continue in your absence to go forward with integrity, respect and to always focus on what’s best for our students.”
Massey has worked in the district since 1999. He served 14 years as principal of Forest Lake Area High School before being tapped to be superintendent.
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Massey teaches the superintendency course and the principalship course at the University of Minnesota.
In his statement to the board, he said that “educating and preparing our young to be tomorrow’s leaders” is one of the greatest callings.
Massey also said that the district is in good shape.
“Enrollment is increasing despite declining birthrates, a testament to Forest Lake Area Schools being a place kids and families want to be,” he said. “Our financial footing is solid, and the district’s reserve funds are strong.”
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