Lake Forest schools hire new superintendent

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Michael Simeck

Updated: April 15, 2012 1:45AM

Michigan native Michael Simeck has been selected as the new superintendent at Lake Forest School District 67 and 115, school officials said Tuesday.

Simeck will begin his new post July 1 as head of both the elementary and high school districts. He currently holds a similar position as superintendent of schools for the Berkley K-12 School District in Oak Park, Mich., a Detroit suburb.

Simeck will replace current Superintendent Harry Griffith, who announced his retirement in July 2010.

Simeck is stepping into a school district still embroiled in the sexting scandal that drew parental outcry and national media coverage involving former Deer Path Middle School Principal John Steinert of Lindenhurst, who resigned in November.

According to the district, 100 candidates applied for the position of combined schools superintendent in Lake Forest. The boards of education of both school districts interviewed the final six candidates and whittled down the field to four finalists who were presented to staff and community representatives.

The community will have its first opportunity to meet with Simeck at a reception in the spring.

Before he joined the Berkley K-12 district in 2007, Simeck was superintendent of schools in Dansville, Mich., from 2003-07. Simeck is completing his Ph.D. in educational administration at Michigan State University. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti. Simeck and his wife have three children.

“During an extensive interview process, involving over 50 staff, parents and community members, we were able to identify a new superintendent who reflects important characteristics defined by all,” said Lake Forest High School Board of Education President Sharon Golan.

Elementary School District 67 School Board President Julia Wold said she is pleased with Simeck’s background as “an experienced leader who will serve within the current shared-services model.”