With more than 20 years of employment with the Sequim School District, Donna Hudson's worked as a teacher, counselor and assistant administrator.

Now she can add another challenge to her resume: principal at Greywolf Elementary.

Hudson moves from her role as assistant principal at Sequim Middle School to the K-5 school in Carlsborg.

Principal Patty Grenquist resigned from the top administrative position at Greywolf to become principal at Kitsap Lake Elementary School in Bremerton.

Hudson, who was slated to assist new Helen Haller Elementary School principal Patra Boots, reiterated her eagerness to take on a leadership role at a Sequim elementary school.

"It will give me a chance to learn a new system, a new staff and a whole new group of kids," Hudson said. "It also gives me a chance to put into practice some skills that I don't get to use as much at the middle school, where my responsibilities are mainly discipline issues."

Sequim schools superintendent Bill Bentley said the district was fortunate to have someone like Hudson be able to move into such a role.

"I feel good for all of our students at Greywolf," Bentley said. "Donna is a very capable administrator with a solid track record. Donna has proven herself; it's a logical choice."

In June the school district announced other administrative changes, assigning then Helen Haller Elementary School principal Vince Riccobene to director of instruction and naming Boots, director of technology for the district, as the school's newest principal.

At the time, Hudson was picked to split time between the middle school and Helen Haller, serving as an assistant for Boots.

But when Grenquist decided to take the job in Bremerton, the district simply shifted her from one Sequim elementary school to the other.

Hudson has substituted for Grenquist in recent years. She has an associate of arts degree from Centralia College, a bachelor of arts degree in education from Eastern Washington University, a master's degree in school counseling from City University and an administrative credential from Central Washington University.

Grenquist was principal at Greywolf for five years.

"Patty helped the move the building forward in a number of really positive ways," Bentley said. "She really built a good team. I was impressed with the amount of collaboration (there). Any time you lose people you feel are contributing it's always difficult ... (but) we have this opportunity to not skip a beat, keep things going."

Replacing Hudson as assistant principal at Sequim Middle School is Scott Harker, a Port Angeles School District veteran.

In 2000, Harker and family moved to Port Angeles, and he served as assistant principal at Port Angles High School for four years, then became principal for five years.

He gave up the principal's position last in order to spend more time with his children, working as assistant principal at Stevens Middle School.

"I think we're very fortunate Scott has chosen to work with us in this school district," Bentley said. "He's very student-oriented. That's what we want."

Many teachers and administrators will be roaming hallways and classrooms in the coming weeks, prepping for upcoming academic year that begins Sept. 8.

Bentley said he expects Hudson to be at Greywolf several days before school starts, to connect with Greywolf parents and students.



Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.