Goodrich ? An officer active in the U.S. Army Reserves may soon take charge of Goodrich High School.
The Goodrich Board of Education selected LakeVille High School Principal David St. Aubin to take over the role of GHS Principal Kenneth Andrezjewski, who will retire in January 2005.
St. Aubin, of Davison, was one of three candidates publicly interviewed by the board at the July 12 meeting, including Michael Holboth, of Lapeer East, and Suzanne Palte of Dexter, who previously interviewed for the Goodrich superintendent position.
The son of educators, St. Aubin worked with the children of migrant workers in high school, went into the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps at Western Michigan University, and obtained a master’s degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University after teaching at Genesee High School, he said. St. Aubin has also coached, and served as athletic director and assistant principal at Bentley High School before assuming the role of principal at LakeVille High School.
During the interview, St. Aubin described his leadership style as two-fold, handling both collaboration and confrontation with ease.
‘I like a win-win situation, but if it can’t be I’ll take it on,? he said, stressing that ‘what’s most important is what’s best for the student.?
There are three core components in high school education, said St. Aubin, academic, career pathways, and character education.
The prospective principal prefers making character education a specifically-scheduled part of each student’s curriculum. At LakeVille, he distributes business-sized cards describing character ideals, about which he frequently questions students.
Although his Army Reserve unit is geared toward serving in Korea, the military police officer said he expects the Goodrich Board of Education to assign a replacement if he is called to serve.
‘I don’t anticipate that happening,? he said. ‘What most school districts do is have someone take your place when you’re gone. I believe in doing my job for my country.?
Following the interviews, board of education secretary Shane Tiedeman nominated St. Aubin for principal, citing a good match between his qualifications and locally identified needs. The motion was seconded by trustee Timothy Zirnhelt.
In addition to drafting and negotiating a contract for St. Aubin, the board of education is currently considering candidates to replace former Oaktree Elementary Principal Kim Hart, who recently took over the role of district superintendent.
A replacement for athletic director Al Martus, the retiring assistant principal, will not be considered until 2005.