Abigail Mendison – LRHS News Editor

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – After 38 years dedicated to the educational system, Lakewood Ranch High School’s Principal Linda Nesselhauf, has decided to retire.  June 30 is her last scheduled day.

“It’s just time for me to retire. I do have some plans and I look forward to a very active retirement,” she said.

Nesselhauf has been at LRHS since the first day the school opened. At the time she was an assistant principal.

“LRHS has been open 16 years, and I still remember day one, standing in the office blowing up helium balloons to welcome all the kids. I do thank our county administrators for LRHS.

“I really have trouble seeing my retirement as a big deal. Lakewood Ranch High School is and will remain an awesome school thanks to its teachers, staff, parents, students and the entire community,” said Nesselhauf. ” I always want to do what’s best for Lakewood Ranch and I’m sure the best is yet to come.”

Students awaiting the new principal hope that it will all work out for the best. Junior Alex Ellis is the junior news producer for the school’s morning announcement program. She hopes the new principal will help make her senior year great.

“Hopefully the new principal will keep on Lakewood’s traditions and not try to change a whole lot,” said Ellis. “It will be my senior year and I just want it to be as memorable as possible. I just hope LRHS students give the new principal a chance instead of just resisting change. It’s almost like when Dr. Z (Assistant Principal Tom Zellers) left and we got a new assistant principal. Everyone was a little bit uncertain. I hope it will all work out for the best.”

The process for picking a new principal starts in April and it will take several months to select a replacement.

“My time here has been truly wonderful,” said Nesselhauf. “I remember my father saying if you do your job well nobody will ever notice when you leave. I hope in that way nobody notices I’m gone.”