The principal at Scripps Middle School is moving to the school district’s main office.
Ken Gutman was appointed Lake Orion School District’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at the Feb. 9 school board meeting. He’ll officially take over that position on July 1.
Chris Lehman, the current assistant superintendent, has been picked to replace retiring Dr. Craig Younkman as the district’s superintendent.
According to Lehman, four internal candidates were interviewed by a committee for the principal’s job.
Gutman was hired as SMS? principal in 1999. He had been an assistant principal at Orchard Lake Middle School in West Bloomfield.
‘Thank you for having faith in me,? he told board members. ‘I’ll do what’s best for the children.?
Gutman is currently pursuing a Ph.D from Wayne State University. He also has an Education Specialist Certificate and a master’s degree from WSU.
Gutman’s assistant principal, Daniel Haas, has been hired to take his place.
Lehman said the position was posted internally and Haas was the only candidate. According to Lehman, Haas did a lengthy interview with a committee consisting of school district people. He also met with Scripps parents and staff .
‘Parents felt he was an overwhelming good pick and were looking to continue on with the high standards of Scripps,? Lehman said.
‘We have a crisis in this state. There’s a shortage of (school) leadership. He (Haas) would be the type of administrator sought after by other districts.?
Haas has a BA degree from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree from Oakland University and is acquiring an Education Specialist Degree.
He was hired by the school district in 1997 to teach sixth and eighth grade English and Social Studies. Haas was named SMS? assistant principal four years ago.
It was announced at the board meeting that Suzanne Price, principal of Webber Elementary School, is moving to California and will be leaving her position.