Saint Peter Public Schools

Dr. Jeff Olson was officially hired as interim superintendent of Saint Peter Public Schools after the Saint Peter School Board unanimously approved his contract for the 2024-25 school year at its July 29 special meeting. Dr. Olson, who served as Saint Peter School superintendent from 2003 to 2014 and then again in an interim role during the 2019-20 school year, begins his interim duties on Monday, Aug. 5.

Dr. Olson replaces outgoing Saint Peter School Superintendent Bill Gronseth who recently accepted an administrative position with the Stillwater School District. Gronseth’s last day with District 508 was Wednesday, July 31.

“It is an honor and privilege to be selected to serve as the Interim Superintendent of the Saint Peter Public Schools for the 2024-2025 school year,” Dr. Olson said. “I am excited to once again work with an outstanding staff, administration and school board in continuing to provide high quality educational experiences for the students of our school district.  It will be my goal to provide as seamless a transition as possible from the outgoing superintendent to the time a permanent superintendent is hired to lead the school district.  

“I am thankful for the many professional opportunities the district has given me in the past and for the excellent education our three children and seven of our grandchildren have received as students in the Saint Peter school system.”

Since his previous interim role with SPPS, Dr. Olson has kept connected to education through the consulting firm, True North Consulting Partners, which he co-owns with long-time friend and retired Alexandria superintendent, Dr. Terry Quist. True North Consulting Partners focuses on educational planning and reform, leadership development, strategic planning, school facility planning and management consultation for about 60 school districts across the state of Minnesota. 

During his time as superintendent for Saint Peter Public Schools, Olson was named as Minnesota Superintendent of the Year in 2013. Prior to becoming Saint Peter’s superintendent, he served as Saint Peter High School principal from 1993 to 2003 and also taught social studies at SPHS from 1975 to 1993. He received B.A. degrees in history and political science from Concordia College (Moorhead) and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Mankato State University. He also holds a specialist degree in educational administration and a Ph.D. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota.

“We are excited to have Dr. Olson back to lead the district through this superintendent transition,” Charlie Potts, Saint Peter School Board chair, said. “His career-long commitment to educating the children of St. Peter and his exemplary experience as a superintendent in District 508 will serve us well as we navigate the next year.”

Potts stated Dr. Olson’s hiring will provide the board with time the rest of this calendar year to have thorough discussions on what the district will be looking for in potential superintendent candidates so that when 2025 rolls around the district will be ready to start identifying and, eventually, interviewing candidates. He feels confident a new superintendent will be hired by next spring and ready to start on July 1, 2025.