By Maggie Downs
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Hall

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP - Mike Hall's office door is always open.

The Anderson High School principal, whose career spans more than 40 years, believes that good educators listen. That's one reason he has lunch with a different group of students each month.

He gathers ideas. He values new voices. He is an administrator who learns from his students.

Hall, 64, hopes to tap into some of that learning this fall when he leaves his position at Anderson, a post he has held for 18 years, to begin a new, unexpected life chapter.

On Sept. 1, he will become the high school principal at Miami Valley Christian Academy in Newtown. He is taking the job even though there won't be any students, teachers or even a building until fall 2004.

"That's every principal's dream," Hall said, laughing.

Miami Valley opened seven years ago with two teachers and 11 kindergarten and first-grade students in the former Newtown Elementary School. Since then, the school has expanded to include 200 students through grade 8. Come 2004, two new classes of students (freshmen and sophomores) will fill a brand-new facility.

HALL FILE

• Age: 64 • Residence: Ryland Heights, Ky. • Family: Married for 43 years (in June) to Ann; three daughters - Barbara, Susan and Deborah. • Education: Bachelor's degree in general science/biology, Denison University; master's degree in education, University of Toledo; principal-superintendent certification from University of Wisconsin-Superior • Career: Anderson High School principal (since 1985); principal in Little Miami School District, Warren County (1984-85); administrator of athletics, health and physical education in Forest Hills School District (1982-84); assistant superintendent, high school principal and athletic director for Wabeno (Wis.) School System (1979-82).

That's where Hall comes in.

He will spend the next year obtaining a charter for the school, deciding what credits are necessary for graduation, making scheduling decisions and planning extracurricular activities.

He'll even be responsible for selecting a school song.

"He'll be creating the DNA of our school," said headmaster Gary Sallquist.

The yet-to-be built 44,000-square-foot, two-story facility will house middle and high school students. The $2.5 million to $3.5 million structure, to be built near the existing elementary school, will feature a cafetorium (a combination cafeteria and auditorium), gymnasium, science labs, art rooms and more.

Once the doors officially open, Hall will be in charge of about 40 students, in sharp contrast to the 1,500 he oversees now.

Accepting the position, Hall said, was part of "God's plan," one that began nearly 15 years ago when a friendship was forged between Hall and Sallquist. Before Miami Valley decided to expand, Hall had planned to retire this year.

"Everything just sort of fell into place," Hall said.

Though the candidate search began six months ago, the school didn't look long or far. Hall was the only candidate.

"It was wonderful not having to do a nationwide search - to have a man in our back yard with such expertise and knowledge," said Dody Staker, elementary/middle school principal. "That's one of the ways we know that God's handprint is all over this."

Hall makes a great candidate because he knows that a good education and having fun are not mutually exclusive, Sallquist said. "When you walk through these halls, there's a real sense of joy."

Another strength lies in Hall's ability to motivate teachers.

"It's rare for a young Christian school to have the opportunity to bring such an experienced person in to guide us," Staker said.

Hall admitted he will take a significant pay cut from the $99,809 he earns at Anderson.

"I'm certainly not doing it for the pay," he said. "I wanted to do something that was important for God."

Hall is no stranger to tackling new situations.

His career began in 1960 as a football coach at the University of Toledo, and has included positions as an athletic director, a study hall monitor and teacher. He was a businessman for about 10 years, starting three warehousing and interstate trucking companies in Dayton and Springfield.

Hall regularly attends two prayer groups and teaches Sunday School at Mount Washington Church of Christ, where he has been a member for 21 years.

"I've always felt that God has been good to me," Hall said. "I need to do something for Him."

E-mail mdowns@enquirer.com