New Lake Fenton Principal Looking Forward to Meeting Students

New principal Todd Reynolds is comfortable with the job.

Now he just has to get to know the staff, the students and even the school building.

“I’ve been doing a lot of planning and learning processes,” Reynolds said. “The job doesn’t change. What I am missing is getting to know the staff and the kids. I have to learn the building, too. I’ve been here a month and half, and I’ve walked the building maybe twice.”

Reynolds He said he has met some students through athletics and has had a staff meeting with the teachers. His first order of business once school starts will be getting to know the 584 students. Reynolds will hold an all-student-body meeting on the first day of school, Sept. 6.

“I want to let them to get to know me a little bit, and let them know I’m here for them and that their voices will be heard," he said. "I will probably spend way more time outside the office than inside in the first year, so we can get to know each other.”

Reynolds also plans on speaking to just the seniors, so they will set a good example for other students.

“I have high expectations for seniors and athletes,” Reynolds said.

The Marshall native knows, however, that it will take some time for both sides to transition to the change.

“I’ve been welcomed and appreciated by anyone and everyone,” Reynolds said. “But it’s a two- to four-year process in really settling in and getting to know everything.”

He said he doesn’t expect to make any major changes in his first year at the post. Rather, he will focus on learning and relying on the existing leadership at the school to understand where things stand.

Reynolds, 42, graduated from Central Michigan and played football for the Chippewas from 1987 until 1991. He has three children, ages 20, 16 and 10. Reynolds says he is a golf nut and has a little bit of everything on his iPod.

He is eager and anxious for the first day of school.

“Anyone who is going in front of 600 kids, and only knowing a handful, and saying they are not nervous are lying,” Reynolds said. “But I’m looking forward to it as well.”