Principal assignments for the 2026-27 school year

Dear Robbinsdale Area Schools staff, families and community,

As we plan for the 2026-27 school year, Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) continues the work of implementing our Statutory Operating Debt (SOD) plan, which includes the closure of three schools (Robbinsdale Middle School, Noble Elementary School and Sonnesyn Elementary School) and the discontinuation of one middle school program (FAIR School Crystal). We recognize the magnitude of these changes and the impact they have on our staff, students, and families.

As a result of these approved changes, we are also seeing shifts in building leadership across the elementary and middle school levels. We are sharing principal assignments now to provide clear information early, and to help demonstrate that a process is in place to support a smooth transition into next school year.

Building leadership decisions are guided by the principals’ contract and the required staffing process. In addition to contractual obligations, decisions are based on balancing the strengths of leaders with the needs of schools. Based on those factors, below are the building administrative teams for the 2026-27 school year.

Elementary Schools

• FAIR School Pilgrim Lane
  • Jennifer Smith (Principal)
  • Shalinda Sherrod (Assistant Principal)
• Forest Elementary
  • Melissa Jackson (Principal)
  • To be hired (Assistant Principal)
• Lakeview Elementary
  • Wilbur Winkelman (Principal)
  • No assistant principal due to enrollment
• Meadow Lake Elementary
  • Dr. Michael Rieckenberg (Principal)
  • Michelle Azure (Assistant Principal)
• Neill Elementary
  • Mary Jane Adams (Principal)
  • Lana Lindeman (Assistant Principal)
• Northport Elementary
  • To be hired (Principal)
  • Shannon Lacy (Assistant Principal)
• Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School (RSI)
  • Dr. Alejandra Estrada-Burt (Principal)
  • Ken Habel (Assistant Principal)
• School of Engineering and Arts (SEA)
  • Dr. Heather Hanson (Principal)
  • Jeff Goodwine (Assistant Principal)
• Zachary Lane Elementary
  • Matt Phelps (Principal)
  • Emily James (Assistant Principal)

Middle Schools

• Plymouth Middle School
  • Zoraba Ross (Principal)
  • Todd Goggleye (Assistant Principal)
  • Colleen Kennedy (Assistant Principal)
• Sandburg Middle School
  • Jay Hancock (Principal)
  • Latisha Barzey (Assistant Principal)
  • Charles Johnson-Nixon (Assistant Principal)

High Schools

• Armstrong High School
  • Erick Norby (Principal)
  • Stacy Olstadt (Assistant Principal)
  • Cam Opel (Assistant Principal)
  • Krista Range (Assistant Principal)
• Cooper High School
  • Shaunece Smith (Principal)
  • Mike Bury (Assistant Principal)
  • Ned Nelson (Assistant Principal)
  • Joe Purvis (Assistant Principal)
• Robbinsdale Academy-Highview/Robbinsdale Virtual Academy (RVA)
  • Rob Ware (Principal)
  • Patrick Burrage (Assistant Principal)

Regarding the open positions, the hiring timeline will be determined in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for supporting our students and schools during a time of transition. To learn more about how Rdale is balancing immediate financial stabilization with a community-driven vision for the future, FAQs, Board materials, and full archive of updates, visit rdale.org/vision2030.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bob McDowell
Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Teri Staloch
Superintendent