Hillview Middle School Principal Mike Melton to retire

I believe history will show that Mike served a valuable role bridging two eras in Hillview's history. His academy work exploring how Hillview can be an effective, but very populous school, yet maintain a focus on individual children, may prove invaluable. Three years of construction cannot have been easy -- both overseeing the construction and running a school on half the physical space. Finally, in bridging the Mike Moore/Ken Ranella period with the new regime, I think he's taken a lot of unavoidable lumps gracefully.

My own favorite memories of Mike will be watching him chatting with a group of kids outside dances, while keeping an eye out for escapees (not allowed) or outsiders (also not allowed). He reminded me of the very best kind of beat cop -- a safe haven.

Ghysels no doubt told him he has not the right person on the bus, so threw him under the bus. No doubt 'yes' man a crony will take his place.