After weeks since being announced as a semi-finalist candidate, Dr. Michael Thomas has been hired to fill the role of superintendent at Hopkins Public Schools. The current leader of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools has accepted the position and will begin his new role on July 1.

Thomas was hired by the local school district nearly four years ago. He previously served as superintendent of Colorado Springs School District 11 and held several leadership positions within Minneapolis Public Schools.

Other finalists were Andrew Beaton, assistant superintendent with the North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale School District, and Rebecca Brodeur, senior director of teaching and learning for Robbinsdale Area Schools.

An email was sent out by the district on Tuesday morning that included the following statement from Board Chair Amy Bullyan: “We are proud of the work accomplished under Dr. Thomas’ leadership and grateful for his service to our district. Through his commitment to our students, staff and families, and his leadership in developing our new strategic plan, he has established a strong foundation for the district’s future, upon which we will continue to build.”