Kokomo searching for administrators

The Kokomo-Center Schools will have to replace four high-ranking administrators — one within the next month — because of retirements.

At its Monday meeting, the school board will receive retirement notices from Assistant Superintendent Allen Essig, Head Start Director Nanette Bowling, Transportation Director Liz McDorman; and Donna Amthauer Dougherty, the assistant director of the Kokomo Special Education Cooperative.

Superintendent Thomas Little said the first priority is to replace McDorman, whose retirement is effective the first week of April.

“Our transportation department runs like a fine watch under her direction,” Little said. “That will be a very difficult position to fill.”

McDorman has worked for Kokomo-Center School Corp. for 30 years.

Assistant Superintendent Allen Essig has been in his job 11 1/2 years. He served as interim superintendent in 2001, after Stephen Healy left to become Eastern’s superintendent, and before Little was hired. Before he came to Kokomo, Essig had been an English teacher, guidance counselor, director of guidance, assistant principal, director of secondary curriculum and principal within the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township in Indianapolis. He has 40 years of experience in education.

Bowling has been director of the Head Start program for 12 years. Little said she’s done an outstanding job leading that program.

“She’s an outstanding educator.”

He said the school board hopes to fill that position with someone who has early childhood education experience.

Dougherty has worked for Kokomo schools for 32 years.

Little said there is no timeline set to fill Essig, Bowling and Dougherty’s jobs.

He added that current district employees who have the credentials for those jobs are encouraged to apply.

“Our board has a strong focus on a career ladder approach.”

The board will also have a hearing regarding the Kokomo High School/Kokomo Area Career Center renovation and will have a second reading on proposed changes to board policies. It will also consider approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Howard County Health Department.

The school board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the Administrative Service Center, 100 W. Lincoln Road.