HAROLD ENESTVEDT
From the Re-Echo

Some call Harold Enestvedt the “Father of the St. Louis Park schools.” He served as superintendent for 24 years from 1948 until 1972. (Today the average tenure for superintendents nationwide is 31/2 years.) He lead Park schools through the tremulous period of growth in the 1950’s and 60’s.

Harold graduated from St. Olaf  College, where he majored in history and mathematics and took the required courses for teaching. Immediately after graduation, he started working on his Masters degree in administration at the University of Minnesota. It took him three summers of heavy course work. His first job was teaching in Watson and Comfry, Minnesota. His next eight years were spent as Superintendent at Sanford, Minn. In 1939, he took a job as Superintendent at Sleepy Eye and then moved to Waseca for 31/2 years.

In 1948, he began the job as Superintendent of St. Louis Park. When Enestvedt took over, he had to prepare to meet a tremendous growth in the school population. At that time there were 96 teachers and 3300 students in the public schools. By the school year 1969/70, there were 11600 students enrolled and there were over 900 employees in the school district. The process of building a new school building took about three years. To get sufficient space to house the students, classes were held in the libraries, cafeterias and corridors. Double shifts were held in the Junior/Senior High in 1954/55 and 1955/56.

Additions were being completed to Lenox and Brookside in 1948. By 1950, school construction was at its peak. Additions were made to Central High in 1952, 1963 and 1967. Fern Hill was built in 1950, Park Knoll in 1952, Ethel Baston in 1955, and the current senior high in 1956 (which require an addition in 1967). Aquila was built in 1957 with an addition in 1967, Cedar Manor in 1957, Westwood Junior High in 1959 with additions in 1967, Peter Hobart in 1967, and Susan Lindgren in 1968. In this period 16 separate building bond issues were enacted. Under Envesevdt the amortization schedules for paying off the bonds was competed in 1981 and at that time the school system was debt free.

Enestvedt’s accomplishments were not just about class rooms and class size. He was responsible for establishing a reputation for innovation and excellence that has attracted many families to St. Louis Park. Instructional programs were standardized, and achievement testing, curriculum development and summer remedial programs were introduced. Many of these programs continue today. Teacher contracts under Enestvedt contained a strong incentive for teachers to continue to grow and develop their areas of expertise. They were rewarded on a salary schedule for each 15 credits earned beyond their Bachelor or Masters degrees. One of the highlights of Enestvedt’s tenure was starting “The Lighted School.“ This program involved reaching out to every segment of the community from preschool to senior citizens to draw the community together to fulfill its needs and demands. An early version of Children First?

Harold Enestvedt left a lasting mark on St. Louis Park schools.




 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.