Leaders to change at several schools for Fall 2026-27

[Updated 5/14/26]  As we look ahead to the 2026–27 school year, Stillwater Area Public Schools is making changes in leadership at the school and district level to continue building strong and supportive environments for students.

Several school leaders will be moving to new buildings in the fall. These decisions were made thoughtfully, with a focus on aligning each leader’s experience and strengths with the needs of each school. While leadership changes may feel disruptive, the systems, staff, and programming within each school remain in place, providing continuity for students and families. Our goal is to strengthen long-term consistency by placing leaders where they can have the greatest impact.

• Chris Dunn, assistant principal at Oak-Land Middle School, will be moving into the principal position at Oak-Land Middle School. He will be taking over for Ann Giardino, who has accepted a position in another district beginning next school year. Before coming to Oak-Land two years ago, Dunn spent much of his career in Edina Public Schools as a teacher, program coordinator, and administrative dean. He is a strong instructional leader with a focus on student learning and growth.
• Bill Gronseth, principal at Lily Lake Elementary, will serve as a principal on special assignment. In this role, he will assist Principal Ann Giardino at Oak-Land Middle School. Prior to his time at Lily Lake, Gronseth served as a superintendent in both the St. Peter and Duluth public school districts and has extensive experience as a building and district leader and educator. His broad leadership background will be a valuable asset at Oak-Land as it continues to grow.
• Jeff Stensrud, assistant principal at Brookview and Lake Elmo Elementary, will serve as the next principal of Lily Lake Elementary. Jeff brings extensive elementary leadership experience, a collaborative approach, and a strong commitment to student success. He has built strong relationships with students, staff, and families across our district, and we are confident he will be a great fit for the Lily Lake community.
• Gina Doe, principal of Afton-Lakeland Elementary School since 2021, will move to the new Lake Elmo Elementary. During her time at Afton-Lakeland, Doe has strengthened school culture, supported student achievement, and built strong partnerships with families and staff. Prior to joining Afton-Lakeland, she served as interim principal at Brookview and assistant principal at Stillwater Middle School. Her experience and leadership will be instrumental in opening and establishing the new Lake Elmo Elementary. 
• Katy Pupungatoa, who is in her second year as principal of Lake Elmo Elementary, will be moving to Afton-Lakeland. She brings nearly 30 years of experience in Stillwater Area Public Schools, including service as an assistant principal, BARR coordinator at Stillwater Area High School, and science teacher at Oak-Land Middle School. Her deep knowledge of the district, commitment to students, and attention to detail will serve the Afton-Lakeland community well.
• Heather Murray, who has been serving as principal on special assignment overseeing bond projects, will transition to the director of the St. Croix Valley Area Learning Center (ALC). Murray has served as a principal in Stillwater Schools for more than 20 years and brings extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to supporting all learners. In addition to leading the ALC, she will also support teaching and learning at the district level in the areas of gifted programming, multi-lingual learning, Summer Success and professional development. 

These changes are part of our ongoing work to capitalize on the strengths of our leadership team and ensure we are best positioned to meet the diverse needs of our learners.