Assistant principal at Hobart High School named principal

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Updated: March 18, 2012 8:15AM

HOBART — Assistant Principal Brent Martinson on Thursday was unanimously named the new principal of Hobart High School, effective July 1, at the School City of Hobart board of education meeting.

Martinson will replace current Principal David Spitzer, who is retiring.

Martinson received a two-year contract with a salary of $86,487.

Superintendent Peggy Buffington called Martinson “a fine assistant principal and administrator and a catalyst for change” when recommending him for the post.

“He is a person who can bring out the best in everyone,” Buffington said.

She said Martinson helped set up the Freshman Academy for Success, was part of the team that helped get the high school a four-star rating and is a big factor in the “One Region One Vision” project.

Martinson also received commendations from board members, fellow district administrators and teachers.

“He coined the phrase, ‘If you believe it, you can achieve it,’ and he believes it,” said Larry Juzwicki, director of School Safety for the district. “I’m confident he’ll be an outstanding principal.”

Martinson said he will work hard to make sure all students in the high school end up doing something productive in society.

Martinson is in his fourth year as assistant principal at Hobart High School. Before that, he spent five years at Pierce Middle School in Merrillville and nine years at Tolleston Middle School in Gary.

Martinson was named Assistant Principal of the Year for District 1 by the Indiana Association of School Principals in 2011. District 1 covers Lake, Porter, Jasper and Newton counties.