HANCOCK COUNTY — A longtime principal in the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation is leaving the district at the end of the school year to become a principal in neighboring Southern Hancock.
Jan Kehrt will be the new leader at Sugar Creek Elementary as soon as the current school year wraps up. She’s leaving Harris Elementary, where she has been principal for 12 years.
Kehrt will have a two-year contract with a base salary of $103,882 per year. She is replacing Kari Shelton after Shelton and the district decided to part ways in late April.
The Southern Hancock School Board wasted little time in finding Shelton’s replacement officially approving Kehrt’s hire during the Monday night school board meeting.
“This was a difficult decision because the Harris staff are such great people,” Kehrt said in an email to the Daily Reporter on Tuesday afternoon. “However, I am ready for a new challenge. Sugar Creek Elementary has a long-standing tradition of excellence in learning. I am looking forward to working together with this wonderful staff to help all students grow and succeed.”
Kehrt is the wife of longtime New Palestine High School teacher and coach Brian Kehrt, who said his wife was excited to make the move.
Greenfield-Central Superintendent Harold Olin said district officials are happy for Jan Kehrt, getting the opportunity to join her husband in his district and work in a community where she lives. But, he said, she’ll be difficult to replace.
“She has poured her heart into our school corporation, benefiting students, staff and the larger Greenfield community,” Olin said in an email to the Daily Reporter.
Harris Elementary has had three long-term principals in its 60-plus-year history — Meredith Payne, Steve Blue and Jan Kehrt.
“Kehrt will certainly leave a legacy of professionalism and care that will remain a part of the school’s fabric for many years to come,” Olin said.
He’s not sure who her replacement will be, but G-C officials plan to post the opening as soon as this week and go through a comprehensive interview process that will include input from a broad-based committee.
Olin is hopeful they will be able to announce a new principal during the June 10 board meeting if all goes as planned.
Shelton was in her fourth year at Sugar Creek Elementary School. Shelton sent out an email last week to parents, saying it will be tough to leave the school.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce I will not be returning as the principal of Sugar Creek for the 2019-20 school year,” Shelton said in an email.
Shelton was approved by the school board in April of 2015 and started her job in July of 2015. She earned $95,840 her first year and received an annual raise, like the rest of the district principals, over the next three years.
Before coming to Sugar Creek, Shelton had spent her entire career in Wayne Township. She was the assistant principal at Bridgeport Elementary School prior to taking the job at Sugar Creek.
While saying she enjoyed the last four years as principal at Sugar Creek and will cherish the time she has left with students this school year, Shelton did not elaborate about her future plans. She is expected to finish out her duties this school year, but said she will be moving on to different things in July when her contract expires.
Shelton did not return calls or emails seeking more information about her departure.
Parents and community members in the Southern Hancock School District are invited to meet and welcome Jan Kehrt at an open house set for 6 p.m. June 5 at Sugar Creek Elementary.
