Greg Cole to serve as Anoka-Hennepin superintendent

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board has selected Greg Cole to serve as superintendent of schools for the District, effective July 1, 2026, pending the successful negotiation and approval of an employment contract. 

Cole currently serves as the District’s Chief Operations Officer, a position that oversees 6.2 million square feet of district infrastructure and multiple departments, including buildings and grounds, enterprise technology, student transportation, child nutrition, communications, community education and safety and security functions. 

Cole’s service in Anoka-Hennepin began as a classroom teacher in 1995, serving as teacher at Sandburg Middle School, with additional service as a seventh-grade English teacher at Roosevelt Middle School and Oak View Middle School for two years. Cole also served as a high school wrestling coach for six years. His administrative career began as an intern and assistant principal at Northdale Middle School before serving as the principal overseeing K-12 behavior and discipline for the district for 13 years prior to his service as Chief Operations Officer.   

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and ready to get to work,” said Cole. “I’m committed to the students, staff, and the communities we serve in Anoka-Hennepin. I live here, have built my career here, and this is the only superintendent job I would ever want.”

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board conducted a search following the announcement that Superintendent Cory McIntyre would not be pursuing a new contract. The School Board authorized an open process for both internal and external applicants, which attracted 10 applicants. Three semifinalists were invited to interview and Cole’s selection followed the initial interview process. Hazard, Young and Attea (HYA), a national executive search firm, facilitated the search process that included feedback from over 1,200 residents and community members into the characteristics and qualities desired in the next superintendent. Due to selecting Greg Cole as superintendent, the remaining steps in the search will be canceled. Cole will begin service as superintendent on July 1, 2026.