Valerie Dupler, who has served as the principal of Prass Elementary since 2009, will become the new Elementary Curriculum Coordinator. The current coordinator has chosen to return to the classroom to teach, according to district spokeswoman Kari Basson.
Basson said Dupler has served the district well and has been “a very popular principal.”
Dupler graduated from Chaminade Julienne High School in 1988. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green University in 1992, and a master’s from the University of Dayton in 1995.
She also served as the principal of Moraine Meadows, 2600 Holman St., for one year. Prior to Moraine Meadows, she had been a special education coordinator for Kettering Middle School, Van Buren Middle School, Prass Elementary and Orchard Park Elementary.
Her replacement is a new face in town, but has been a leader in a large school district.
Jennifer Paxson, who comes to the area from Springfield City Schools, will be the new principal at Prass Elementary, Basson confirmed.
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“Education is the process by which every individual attains knowledge and achieves personal growth. The purpose of education is to provide every individual with the skills that enable them to compete, contribute, and meet the challenges in a changing complex society,” was the message Paxson delivered to her students in Springfield. “Education is a community endeavor. All children can learn and have intrinsic worth and unique value.”
More changes are on the way for the district and one new hire came from out-of-state to join Kettering schools.
Laura Meek, who moved here from Texas when her husband took a position in the area, will be the new assistant principal at John F. Kennedy Elementary. Carmella Friz, who had served as a special education coordinator, will be the new principal at Beavertown Elementary School, with the retirement of Mike Kozarec.
It has been a big year for Kettering schools, as the district broke ground on three major school expansions as part of a $17.25 million plan to add all-day kindergarten and expand career tech offerings.
The district has also committed to moving its central offices out of the Barnes building on Far Hills Avenue into space near Fraze Pavilion.
The district also plans to expand career tech programs at Fairmont High School in fall 2020 after passage of a permanent 5.99-mill additional tax levy last November.
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