ICYMI: Lakewood High Principal Will Leave District

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood High School Principal Keith Ahearn has accepted the role of assistant superintendent of the North Ridgeville Schools. He will leave the Lakewood City Schools on July 31, the district said.

“It has been an honor to work in Lakewood City Schools for the past nine years,” Ahearn said. “I have had the privilege of leading exceptional groups of committed professionals at both Harding Middle School and Lakewood High School. I am proud of the good work we have done together and the transitions we have gone through that led to state-of-the-art facilities at LHS. I have watched many outstanding young people grow up before my eyes and accomplish amazing things over these past nine years. I have appreciated the trust that parents and community members have put in us to grow and nurture their children. “

Ahearn's move to North Ridgeville was approved by that district's Board of Education on Thursday. He officially starts with in North Ridgeville on August 1.

The soon-to-be-former Lakewood High principal joined the Lakewood City School in 2009 as the principal of Harding Middle School. In 2013, he moved to Lakewood High.

During Ahearn's tenure, he helped staff and students navigate through a massive construction and renovation project, which eventually resulted in a new Academic Wing and the Performing Arts & Physical Education Wing.

"Although Mr. Ahearn’s departure will be a significant loss of leadership for Lakewood High School, I am excited about his future endeavor,” said Superintendent Jeff Patterson. “The Lakewood City School District is better today for his intellectual and personable approach as a principal. He will be missed.”

This will be a summer of big changes for the Lakewood City Schools. Patterson announced his retirement around the beginning of the school year, and the district has announced that Michael J. Barnes will assume the role of Lakewood City School superintendent on August 1.

Barnes was previously the assistant superintendent of the Mayfield City Schools.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch