Meet Lakewood High's New Principal

LAKEWOOD, OH — Mark Walter graduated from Lakewood High School in 1982. Now, he will return to his alma mater as its next principal.

The Lakewood Board of Education approved Walter's hiring on Thursday morning. He is currently the principal at Garfield Middle School.

“I am deeply honored, humbled, and excited to have this opportunity to further my career at Lakewood High School,” Walter said. “It is truly a privilege to be named the principal of my alma mater in the community where my roots are and my heart lies.”

Walter has been with the Lakewood City Schools since 1998, when he joined the district as a science and language arts teacher. He taught at the middle school level for six years and then became assistant principal of the former Emerson Middle School. A year later he was named principal of Horace Mann Middle School. Shortly after he landed at Garfield, where he has been principal for the past 11 years.

“I am incredibly excited that Mark Walter will be the next Principal at Lakewood High School. Mark is an exceptional leader that is extremely kid-centered. As a Lakewood High School graduate himself, Mark truly understands the value that this community places on the development of the whole child. I look forward to working and supporting Mark Walter as Lakewood High School's next Principal," said incoming Superintendent Michael Barnes.

Walter replaces the departing Keith Ahearn, who is taking the job of assistant superintendent of the North Ridgeville City Schools. Both Walter and Ahearn will start their new positions on August 1.

Ahearn had been principal of Lakewood High since 2013. "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."

Photo from Lakewood City Schools