Lake Orion School Board Appoints New High School Principal

After an extensive search for the perfect candidate for the vacant principal position, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Larry Lobert thinks the district has found the best fit: Stephen Hawley.

Hawley is a resident of Brownstown and works as principal at Seitz Middle School in Riverview. The position was unanimously awarded to Hawley by the Lake Orion Board of Education at Wednesday's meeting at the schools' .

"I am enormously pleased after four interviews, various assessments, extensive references, I'm very pleased and confident in recommending on behalf of our selection committee and the superintendent the appointment of Mr. Stephen Hawley," Lobert said.

Ninety-three applicants applied for the vacant principal position, according to Lobert. Of the 93, committees whittled the number down to 12 candidates who looked good on paper and ended up formally interviewing five candidates.

Hawley said he applied for the job because he viewed it as "the next positive step in my career." He also thinks Lake Orion is an attractive area and a great place to raise a family.

"I am extremely excited," Hawley said."I think the first thing that comes to mind is that not only am I coming to a tremendous school, but coming to a tremendous district and community and I think that those things really were the draw.

"I'm committed to doing it as a long-term commitment."

Hawley has been principal at Seitz Middle School since 2010. He was previously director of athletics and assistant principal at Riverview High School, and taught in Riverview before that for 11 years. Hawley kicked off his education career in 1992 at John Glenn High School in Westland and made a couple of other career stops before rooting himself in Riverview in 1995.

In addition to his hands-on experience, Hawley is also working toward an Education Specialist certification at .

"Stephen just rose to the top ... Quite frankly your references were not only outstanding, they were stellar, so we expect you to walk on water," Superintendent Marion Ginopolis said, directing her comments at Hawley during the meeting.

The position became open after in December. Since January, Tom Tobe has stepped in as interim principal during the search process. Board members thanked Tobe for his willingness to step in for his second time as interim principal at the high school and for all he has done since.

Ginopolis said she hopes to see Tobe only at school events in the future, hoping that Hawley will be in Lake Orion for the long haul.

"I'm a Dragon," Tobe said with a smile.

Stay tuned to Oakland Township-Lake Orion Patch for additional coverage of Wednesday's meeting.