On the top of new Superintendent Ken Gutman’s to-do list this summer was to fill a variety of administrative positions throughout the district.
After a thorough search and interview process, which included input from parents, teachers, support staff and student, the district welcomed three new elementary principals into the fold.
Two of the new principals are familiar faces. Former Oakview Middle School Assistant Principal Jennifer Goethals has been named as the new principal for Blanche Sims, and former Director of Learning Options, Orion’s alternative high school, Lauren Sanborn has accepted the principal position at Paint Creek
The third principal position, one that will get started right away as Carpenter Year-Round Elementary starts school on Friday, is being filled by newcomer Kerri Anderson, most recently a learning consultant at Hugger Elementary in Rochester.
Gutman described Goethals, Sanborn and Anderson as ‘dynamic, energetic and the right fit for their schools.?
‘It feels good to have good people filing (the vacant administrative positions),? Gutman said, noting that the district did not select for the best available, but simply from the best.
The placement of the two internal candidates (Goethals and Sanborn) opens up two more administrative positions that must be filled, but Gutman noted the placement of these individuals just shows the district is ‘doing a good job developing leaders.?
‘This is a community that people want to work in,? he added.
The district is now looking to fill the newly vacated director of Learning Options and assistant Oakview principal positions, as well as principal for Waldon Middle School (which became vacant when Heidi Kast was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services), Executive Director of Human Resources, and Special Education Supervisor, a position that newly appointed Special Education Director Julie Stucky is currently interviewing candidates for.
Look for articles about Lake Orion’s newest elementary principals in future issues of The Review.