Michael Bohnet is a familiar face to local educators, as he has spent his entire career
By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published August 11, 2004
in south Pinellas.
LEALMAN - At 6 feet 9, Michael Bohnet stands head and shoulders above everyone else at Dixie Hollins High School.
But as the school's new principal, Bohnet (pronounced bo-NAY), says he intends to meet each person - student, teacher and administrator - at eye level. That's the only way to successfully move a school community forward, he says.
Bohnet, a former assistant principal in charge of athletics at the school, was chosen on Friday to replace outgoing principal Jeffrey Haynes, who was recently named principal of Largo High School.
Staff members at the school, 4940 62nd St. N, learned July 26 that Haynes would replace Barbara Thornton, who was promoted to director of school operations for Area III. Eight administrators expressed interest in the job, for which Bohnet, 41, will receive an annual salary of $76,712.
Sadie Reed, one of four remaining assistant principals at Dixie, described Bohnet as a "people person." She said that while staff members are still reeling from the news of Haynes' departure, they are pleased that Area III superintendent Cathy Athanson chose Bohnet to replace him.
"He's a hard worker and he's dedicated to the system," Reed said. "He puts all he has into doing his job. That's going to be a plus and an asset."
As for Bohnet, he says he couldn't be happier.
"I'm ecstatic," he said in a phone interview Monday. "I'm very excited about this opportunity."
Bohnet began his career in Pinellas County after graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Olivet (Mich.) College in 1985. He taught physical education at Tyrone Middle School for 12 years, then became a dropout prevention teacher in the school's Model Schools Achievement Program, over which he became department head.
He earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 1996.
He spent a semester as acting assistant principal at Lakewood High School before serving for five years as assistant principal at Gibbs High School. As head of facilities at Gibbs, he oversaw the launch of the school's $52-million construction project, scheduled for completion in December.
He came to Dixie Hollins as assistant principal of athletics last fall.
"I've been very fortunate to have had excellent mentors," said Bohnet, singling out former Gibbs principal Barbara Shorter and Haynes.
Among his goals for Dixie Hollins is continued development of the school's small learning communities, introduced two years ago with the help of a federal grant that divided the school's 2,200 students into smaller groups based on common interests. Bohnet was deeply involved last year in a ninth-grade small learning community called Cornerstone. This year, he will oversee the implementation of small learning communities for liberal arts, business technology and engineering.
Besides his administrative background, Bohnet said he considers himself well-suited for the job because of his community ties. He said he is proud he has worked his entire career in south Pinellas, and that he recently completed his 19th year as a facilitator for a national youth sports program based in St. Petersburg.
"We will as a community and as a staff move in the right direction," he said. "I feel we have a great plan in place. I look for positive things for Dixie Hollins in the future."
Bohnet's appointment is subject to School Board approval Aug. 24.
