Superintendent Battle announces retirement after 2024-25 school year

At the March 13 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Theresa Battle announced her intent to retire on June 30, 2025, at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Dr. Battle was hired to lead Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 starting in July 2019. She will have served 6 years as superintendent, capping off a 40-year career as an educator, including as a teacher, principal, curriculum and instruction leader, and assistant superintendent. 

In making the announcement, Dr. Battle praised the One91 community, especially staff members.

“My time as superintendent has been an incredibly rewarding experience as I have loved serving the amazing students and the wonderful families of One91,” Battle said. “I have worked with phenomenal and talented staff members and caring and committed board members. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve as superintendent for the last six years.”

During her tenure, Dr. Battle ushered the district through a period of major transition, including closing three schools and adjusting attendance boundaries during her first year as superintendent. The changes, along with a strategic approach to budgeting and community support for a levy referendum in 2019 and a technology levy renewal in 2024, have helped the district experience financial stability over the past several years.

Under her leadership, the district used extensive community engagement to adopt a new Strategic Roadmap, including the Profile of a One91 Learner, which outlines competencies for all District 191 students, and the Strategic Dashboard, a public accounting of key metrics as the district follows the Roadmap. Community engagement was also a hallmark of Dr. Battle’s approach to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to 92% of parents approving of how it was handled according to a 2022 survey.

Dr. Battle graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor of Science in special education. She also holds a Master of Arts in educational administration and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Minnesota. 

 “You’ve made an incredible impact on the One91 community, one that will not soon be forgotten,” Board Chair Anna Werb said. “There’s no doubt in my mind we’re in a better place today -  in terms of programming, finances and community relations - because of your leadership.”

The Board will discuss a plan for a superintendent search at an upcoming meeting.