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Leadership Change Upcoming for CLHSA, Lutheran West, and Lutheran East
Cleveland Lutheran High School Association, Lutheran West High School, and Lutheran High School East to undergo shift in top leadership positions in July, 2019 at the end of the current school year.normal'> 

normal'>As of August 17, 2018, the CLHSA Board of Directors has approved three transitional moves in the leadership of its organization.

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normal'>The CLHSA, currently in its 70th year, supports the operations of Lutheran High School West (Rocky River) and Lutheran High School East (Cleveland Heights). Its current Superintendent, Marty Uhle, has announced that the 2018-2019 school year will be his last in this role. He began an internal review of CLHSA leadership upon his consideration of leaving his role. Uhle stresses the rarity of an organization being able to make internal leadership transitions with ease, stating, “The chance to make multiple moves in an organized manner without the time and risk of outside searches is very desirable.”

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normal'>UhleMr. Uhle states, “During the past three years, I have gained an understanding of the history and impact of the CLHSA and our high schools in the Cleveland area, and I am proud to have been a part of that impact. The deep and talented faculty, staff, and administrative teams we have built at both schools allow for this organized transition, and I am confident that the schools will continue to thrive under the leadership of those we’ve appointed to take the reins.”

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normal'>Mr. Uhle also serves as the Executive Director of the Pierstorf Memorial Fund (www.Pierstorf.org), which annually provides hundreds of Lutheran students with interest-free college loans. Since the death of Dr. Erv Pierstorf in July 2016, the financial resources of the Fund have tripled, due to Dr. Pierstorf’s estate gift. As a result, the demands of the Fund on Mr. Uhle’s time have increased substantially and the time is right for him to devote more time to that effort at the end of this school year.

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normal'>Mr. Uhle received a B.A. in Business Administration at Wittenberg University in 1985, and received an M.B.A. from Baldwin Wallace College in 1988. He lives in Rocky River, Ohio with his wife Laura. They have two adult sons. Mr. Uhle is a member of the Board of the Community West Foundation, a charitable foundation, and the Wittenberg University Board of Directors, and is active at Messiah Lutheran Church, Fairview Park.

normal'> ChrisSteinmann

normal'>Chris Steinmann, current Principal of Lutheran High School East, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Uhle as Superintendent, effective July 2019. Steinmann is a 2000 graduate of Lutheran West. While at West, Steinmann played and lettered in three varsity sports (soccer, cross country, track). He participated in drama productions, served on Student Council, and was a member of Key Club. After graduating from West, he attended Concordia University Ann Arbor, where he earned a Bachelor's in Social Studies Education with minors in both Economics and Theology. He began his career in education at Lutheran East in 2004, teaching Social Studies and Religion. He has managed the school’s Chapel programs and has coached men's basketball, women's basketball, cross country, track, softball, and volleyball. Steinmann has served as Principal for the past eight years. He is Lutheran East’s longest-serving Principal and will be the first alumni of either school to serve as Superintendent.

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normal'>Steinmann is a 2008 graduate of Concordia University Chicago with a Master of Arts in Religion. He is also a 2014 graduate of the Van Lunen Center for Executive Management in Christian Schools and holds a CAP (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy) given through the American College of Financial Services. He lives in Cleveland with his wife Sara and two children. Steinmann attends Bethany Lutheran in Parma.

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normal'>About his new role as Superintendent, Chris Steinmann states, “I am thrilled to serve the CLHSA in a new capacity.  I love Lutheran West and know first-hand the impact it can have on the students who walk the halls each day.  Over the last 15 years, I have come to love Lutheran East for the exact same reason.  I believe that my knowledge and experience at both of our schools uniquely positions me to  serve them going forward.”

normal'> Prusinski

normal'>Current Lutheran East Vice Principal Andrew Prusinski will, in July 2019, assume the role of Principal. Prusinski is a 2002 graduate of Lutheran West, where he was class president, band president, captain of the baseball and golf teams, and a member of the National Honors Society. Following Lutheran West, Prusinski attended The College of Wooster, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a minor in Religious Studies. After college, he was an Admissions Counselor at Marietta College before moving back to Cleveland to lead the Resource Center and community outreach efforts with College Now Greater Cleveland, an area non-profit organization. During his tenure at Lutheran East, which began in 2011-2012, he has served as Dean of Students, overseeing enrollment and assisting with student discipline, while also teaching part-time. He is currently Lutheran East’s Vice Principal of Enrollment and Development. 

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normal'>Prusinski grew up in Rocky River and now resides in Cleveland Heights, just a few miles from Lutheran East. He and his wife Leslie are members at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ohio City.

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normal'>Mr. Prusinski says,Faith and education. These are two of the most important factors in a person's life, and at Lutheran East we have the privilege of sharing the love of Christ with our students each day while also challenging them to grow academically. It's important work, it's challenging work, and it's an effort that I'm excited to lead! We have a strong foundation and we're excited to build on that foundation for the benefit of future generations and to the glory of God.”

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normal'>Lutheran High School East (www.lutheraneast.org), located on Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights, has operated continually since 1959. Total school enrollment for the current school year (2018-2019) is 325. Lutheran East’s Class of 2018 had a graduation rate of 100%, and the school has just founded an Honors Academy, which aims to challenge promising students to excel academically and beyond. The school will be holding an Admissions Open House on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from 6-8 pm.

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Lutheran High School West (www.lutheranwest.com), located on Linden Road in Rocky River, has a current enrollment of 465, its largest student body since the 1970s. The school has operated continuously at this location since 1958. West is led by new Principal Michael Waugh, a 2002 graduate of Lutheran West. Mr. Waugh assumed this role in July 2018 and is providing the long-term leadership and vision sought by the Board when he was hired. Lutheran West offers a college-preparatory academic curriculum, competitive athletics, arts programs, and the Senney Honors Academy. Lutheran West will be holding its next Admissions Open House on Monday, October 15, 2018 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

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normal'>Both high schools are founded upon the ideal of a Christ-centered education as the foundation of their missions. Students are encouraged to grow in their faith, to serve others and their community, and to explore their own life purpose and direction.