New Assistant Principal Hired For Garfield Middle

LAKEWOOD, OH — Ouimet Smith is the new assistant principal for Garfield Middle School. He is replacing Tony Chiaravalle, who is becoming House Principal at Lakewood High.

Smith comes to Lakewood from the Shaker Heights Schools, where he was director of student affairs. He was previously assistant principal at two different Shaker schools, a middle school Language Arts teacher, and a coach for baseball, basketball and football.

“I am so excited to get to work at Garfield Middle School. I cannot wait to meet the students, parents, and staff. I am so fortunate to be a part of the Lakewood City Schools community,” Smith said in a statement released by the school district.

Smith got his Bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Michigan (don't hold that against him, Buckeye fans), his Master's degree in Educational Administration from Cleveland State University, and is working on completing his Doctoral degree in Urban Studies at Cleveland State. He also holds a Superintendent's license.

Smith's hiring continues a bevy of staffing changes that have taken place in the district prior to the first day of school. No move was bigger or more important than the hiring of Michael Barnes, the Lakewood Schools' new superintendent, who started work August 1.

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Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch