alumnifi profiles file Pro o r P les
The Superintendent Scott Staska, ’94, named 2011 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year
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he Minnesota Association of School Administrators has named Rocori Superintendent Scott Staska the state’s top superintendent. He has been at Rocori, which includes about 2,150 students from the towns of Cold Spring, Richmond and Rockville, since 2002. Nominees are evaluated on leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism and community involvement. “He's done a good, solid job of leading. He is really well respected by his peers,” said Charlie Kyte, executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. “It is a tremendous honor to be extended this award,” said Staska, who has a master's degree in educational leadership. “I don't consider my work to be extraordinary, but of a high level of professional effort. I know that we, as a district, have experienced a lot over the last few years and the recognition acknowledges that journey!” The district is in the middle of a $29.9 million high school and middle school expansion project. Staska was credited for his leadership as the school has gone through several crises during his tenure. The first was a shooting at the high school in 2003 that killed two students. In 2009, the district had the state's first reported case of the H1N1 flu when someone at the middle school tested positive for the virus.
“Although I am not sure you can ever be ‘prepared’ for crisis situations, MSUM’s coursework, programs and opportunities were challenging, thorough and thought-provoking,” Staska said. “My experiences helped me to understand that issues come at school administrators very quickly, priorities must be set, choices need to be made, and composure is an important element of leadership. Those elements have helped guide my approach to school administration.” One school board member said Staska deserves credit for implementing changes that improved district efficiency. "I think that is one of the reasons Scott was recognized. We tried different things to get better results with less money," board member Jim Hemmesch said. “We have been hard at work across the Rocori School District addressing the issues of a difficult economy, transitions that school districts are making, and efforts to strengthen accountability and academic programs.” Staska said. “I think the selection process is a recognition of the district’s effort to continually improve!” Staska is also mentoring first-year superintendent Joe Hill of Sartell-St. Stephen. “I am appreciative of Scott’s rapid response to my request for models of how he has organized his communications systems within Rocori Schools as well as his instructional leadership strategies used to build district achievement potential,” Hill said. “Scott is a self-
deflecting individual who emulates servant leadership at his very core.” The superintendent of the year candidates are nominated by their school board members and are selected by a panel from outside of the MASA’s membership. He is now a candidate for national superintendent of the year at the American Association of School Administrators' February convention in Denver. > KRISTI MONSON
“Although I am not sure you can ever be ‘prepared’ for crisis situations, MSUM’s coursework, programs and opportunities were challenging, thorough and thought-provoking.” – Scott Staska Alumnews Winter 2011
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