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Gay ex-Totino-Grace official to lead Mounds Park Academy
ByMila Koumpilova mkoumpilova@pioneerpress.com TwinCities.com-PioneerPress
Posred: FEB 1 3 2014 TwinCities.com
Bill Hudson, whose departure from Fridley's Totino-Grace High School thrust him into the spotlight
last summer, will take over the private Mounds Park Academy in July.
Hudson joined the nonsectarian school in Maplewood soon after leaving the Catholic Totino-
Grace, where the board had found out he was in a same-sex relationship. Now, Mounds Park's
board has tapped Hudson, who has been its advancement director during these months, to take
on the academy's top job.
Mounds Park Head of School Jeff Suzik will move to the University of Pittsburgh's School of
Education this summer after roughly a year at the academy.
"While we are sad to see Jeff leave, we are absolutely delighted that Bill will become our next
head of school," said Robin Brooksbank, the board of trustees' chair. "He has been a warm and
welcoming presence at MPA each day."
Hudson will be only the fourth head of school in the prekindergarten-through-12th-grade
academy's 32-year history.
Hudson said he has focused on raising money and support for the school's science, technology
and math offerings, including a new lab with a three-dimensional printer and other gear. He also
worked with Suzik on launching a long-term strategic-planning process.
Hudson had worked as an administrator at Totino-Grace for a decade before he resigned as its
president last summer. He said he has moved past what he described as a difficult time personally
during his months at Mounds Park.
"The school community's warm embrace of who I am, my partner and my children has been
amazing," he said. "This really was a perfect fit for me."
Suzik, who recruited Hudson to the academy, arrived at Mounds Park last year. The academy said
other schools have aggressively tried to recruit him.
The University of Pittsburgh made him "an offer he couldn't refuse, though the timing wasn't
perfect," Hudson said: Suzik will serve as professor and director of the university's Falk Laboratory
School.
Hudson said that as head of school, he plans to focus on ensuring that students receive a well-
rounded education, including in the arts. Next fall, the academy hopes to launch a community
garden and chicken coop as part of its new City Agricultural Project.
Mila Koumpilova can be reached at 651-228-2171. Follow her at twitter.com/MilaPiPress.
http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_25127727/gay-ex-totino-grace-official-lead-mounds-par... 2/13/2014