Lake Orion Schools Superintendent Christine Lehman will make her last graduation speech Friday. After almost 30 years in the district, she’s retiring.
Lehman first came to the district in 1979, where she spent time as a home economics teacher, first at the high school and then at Junior High East, before ultimately being laid off.
While she was teaching, Lehman earned a degree in administration, so after spending a year without a job, she applied for, and accempted, an assistant principal position at the high school.
From there, she became the principal at Carpenter and then moved to Orion Oaks to help open that school.
She left Orion Oaks to be a Central Office Administration intern, then assistant superintendent of human resources, and then, three years ago, superintendent.
‘The people were just so warm and welcoming,? Lehman, who grew up in Ubly, said of her first years at Lake Orion.
‘The kids are just great,? she added, ‘which is what helps you remember why you get up every morning and come and do this.?
Lehman said she is going to take some of her newfound free time to be with her husband, Terry, and three sons, Robert, Jeffers and Adam, as well as her mother.
‘I’m going to take up fly fishing, get back into my garden and try to read some books,? she said, adding she also wants to spend time with friends, as well as, of course, do some shopping.
It’s not going to be all fun and games though, as her husband stayed home for many years to take care of the house, and now he has a to-do list for her.
One of the things she won’t be doing, though, is kissing a pig. She’s already done that as principal at Carpenter as a reading month incentive.
‘That pig did not want to kiss me any more than I wanted to kiss it,? Lehman said with a laugh. ‘It was so gross.?
While the pig kissing is not one of her most fond memories, she said she has many from her years in the district and she’ll miss all the kids and staff.
‘To have been able to be involved in the lives of kids and affect what they do is really phenomenal,? Lehman said. ‘It’s just been an honor for me.?
‘I really want to thank the kids for all their smiles, their honesty, their enthusiasm and for just allowing me to share in their lives,? she added.
Lehman noted that some of the kids graduating this year she has known their whole academic careers, dating back to her years as an elementary principal.
‘It’s been a real pleasure to watch them grow,? she said. ‘They’ve all added to my life.?
Lehman thanked the staff, especially Lynn Mills, for making her years at Lake Orion special.
‘One of the biggest jewels in Lake Orion is Lynn Mills,? she said, adding that you can replace a superintendent, but you can’t replace someone like Lynn. ‘She is a very important part of this district.?
‘The superintendent is only as good as the teachers, the parents, the kids and the community,? Lehman added. ‘It’s a team effort.?
She feels fortunate to have been part of that team, and noted that for the past three years, she has had the best job, since she got to go out and represent Lake Orion schools and all the great things that students and staff have accomplished.
Now Lehman relinquishes that job, pending contract negotiations, to her assistant superintendent, Ken Gutman.
‘I wish Ken the very best,? she said. ‘He’s going to bring a lot of knowledge, a lot of energy and a lot of passion for the education of kids.?
Lehman will retire at the end of June.