December 9, 2021
from Gina Wallraff, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
One Thursday per month you will see a guest Head’s Message from a member of the Institutional Advancement Team. We hope these additional perspectives will help you catch a glimpse inside the innerworkings of your school.
The Board of Trustees for Mounds Park Academy is the governing authority of the school. It has ultimate responsibility for the school’s financial stability and integrity. The board is made up of parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and other professionals. Along with Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school, I have the honor and the privilege of working with this group of dedicated people who are deeply committed to the health and vitality of the school.
Among other roles related to the mission and vision of the school, the Board of Trustees and its subcommittees, like the Finance Committee, has responsibility for the following:
- determination of tuition levels;
- effective financial oversight; and
- realistic budgeting and monitoring of budgets.
This article aims to provide a glimpse into how the board approaches these responsibilities and the annual cycle of budgeting and tuition setting.
The annual budget process for the next academic year begins soon after the current school year starts, 10 months before the start of the next school year. First, an enrollment forecast is created. In this early stage the forecast is an estimate based on historical trends for current students leaving and new students joining. The enrollment forecast is reviewed by the Admissions team and the Head of School to evaluate the reasonableness of the estimated number of new students and projected total enrollment. Read More
Lucia has been an MPA student for three years.
from Katie Murr, Social Studies Teacher and Upper School Debate Coach
The varsity division is called the Minnesota State High School League Classic Debate State Festival, as the MSHSL sponsors the awards for this event. Before we get to the team results, we want to applaud two seniors who were recognized with all-state debate honors for their excellence over the entire season: Charlotte Bergh and Ruby Schwieger. In team competition, MPA had a strong performance. The team of Kaija Kunze-Hoeg and Jenna Sherwood broke to the quarterfinals, where, because of seeding, they had to debate their teammates, Charlotte and Ruby. The judges commented that it was a good round, and Charlotte and Ruby advanced. In the semi-finals, Charlotte and Ruby defeated an excellent team from Eastview High School, and in the finals, Charlotte and Ruby also debated well against another fine team from Eastview, finishing as the runner up.
MPA acknowledges and celebrates our alumni for being featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list! Congratulations to Laurel Schwartz ’11 and Aaron Millberg ’10, we are so proud of our alums!
Aaron Millberg ’10 was featured in the Hollywood & Entertainment section for his excellent work with United Talent Agency and for representing some very recognizable names such as DJ Khaled and Zachary Levi. Read more 
by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School
by Mark Segal, Upper School Director
With next week’s concert approaching, we want to provide a reminder about in-person and virtual concert attendance protocols. (Please find additional logistical information for our performers including attire and arrival times in 
from Jenn Milam, Middle School Director
Congratulations to Olivia Lynch ’25, Pahwa Yang ’24, and Maggie Banks-Hehenberger ’24 who auditioned and were selected to be members of the 9-10 State Honor Choir! Olivia will sing in the mixed choir under the direction of Kyle Fleming (Regis University) while Pahwa and Maggie will perform in the soprano-alto choir with G. Phillip Shoultz (Vocal Essence). The daylong event will culminate with a concert on February 19 on the campus of Bethel University. Olivia is a member of the MPA Varsity Choir while Pahwa and Maggie sing in Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers. We wish them the best!
Parents Connect: December Walks with Dogs