District Welcomes New Lakeland High School Principal

The following was submitted by the Huron Valley School District.

Paul Gmelin has been appointed the new Lakeland High School principal beginning in the 2011-12 school year.

Gmelin was the principal of White Lake Middle School, a position he held since 1999. Gmelin began his teaching career in Huron Valley Schools at Lakeland High in 1989 where he taught social studies and math. He was an assistant principal at Lakeland before assuming the principal position at White Lake. Gmelin earned his B.S. from Central Michigan University, his M.A. from Eastern Michigan University and his Educational Specialist in Leadership from Oakland
University.

Gmelin’s high school experience at Lakeland, coupled with his tenure as a principal, will ensure a smooth start to the new year school for students and staff. Gmelin’s strengths include his dedication to preparing students for the transition from middle school to high school and his commitment to professional learning communities.

According to Superintendent Jackie Johnston, “Paul is a collaborative leader who works closely with parents and staff to develop positive relationships. As every White Lake student feeds into Lakeland, Paul knows many of the families at Lakeland, which will be an asset during this change.”

Gmelin has close ties to the Huron Valley community both as a parent in the District and having graduated from Huron Valley Schools. In addition, Gmelin’s father was a principal in Huron Valley Schools for approximately 30 years.

The District anticipates placing a highly qualified leader at White Lake Middle School before the beginning of the school year.

Editor's note: Paul Gmelin is replacing former LHS Principal Bob Behnke. Behnke left the district at the end of the 2010-2011 school year to take a position with Northville Public Schools.