Dr. Tim Anderson selected as next superintendent of Northfield Public Schools
At a special meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the Northfield School Board selected Dr. Tim Anderson as the district’s next superintendent. Dr. Anderson currently serves as the Executive Director of Academic Services at Prior Lake – Savage Area Public Schools.
“Returning to Northfield is a profound honor,” said Anderson. “This is the community that shaped my professional journey, from my time learning at St. Olaf and serving at the Area Learning Center to my teacher training at Greenvale Park and the high school. I view this role as a long-term destination and am ready to pair my executive experience with a commitment to thoughtful fiscal stewardship and the NHS Reimagine project. I am eager to partner with our board and staff to lead with a focus on student-centered excellence, ensuring every learner finds their preferred pathway to success while honoring the district’s exceptional legacy.”
This decision comes after a careful and comprehensive review process that included input from staff, students, parents/caregivers and community members through a public input survey. Six highly qualified semifinalists were interviewed on April 24 and 25, and two finalists were interviewed on April 29. To help capture a broad range of perspectives, a group of 15 stakeholders provided feedback on the finalist interviews. To ensure a level playing field for all candidates, the interviews were not livestreamed or recorded. We are grateful for our community’s engagement and trust throughout this process.
Dr. Anderson’s contract is expected to be approved at a special school board meeting on Monday, May 4, and his pending start date will be July 1, 2026.
Read the letter that was sent to the community on April 30, 2026.
Meet Dr. Tim J. Anderson
Dr. Tim J. Anderson serves as Executive Director of Academic Services for Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, a district of approximately 8,900 students across 15 sites. In this cabinet-level role, he supervises building principals, leads the teaching and learning division, and serves as acting superintendent in the superintendent’s absence, helping support continuity in district leadership and operations. His earlier experience includes executive leadership in St. Anthony-New Brighton, principalship in Edina, and district-level teaching and learning leadership in Bloomington Public Schools.
His work reflects a combination of instructional leadership, principal supervision, and executive-level operational experience. He has led award-recognized school improvement efforts, supported inclusive practices and student-centered systems, and brought experience spanning teaching and learning, human resources, and operational leadership. His background also includes coaching school leaders and aligning staffing, budgets, and district systems in support of student achievement and organizational effectiveness.
Dr. Anderson holds a Doctor of Education in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor’s degree in social studies secondary education from St. Olaf College. He holds Minnesota licensure as a superintendent, K-12 principal, and secondary social studies teacher.