Story Published:
Dec 4, 2011 at 11:56 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 4, 2011 at 11:56 PM CDT
Dr. Kathleen Airhart, we are really going to miss you. I know the old saying : if you put your arm into a bucket of water, the hole that's there when you take it out is the measure of how much you'll be missed. I'm sure the board will appoint a well qualified person as Interim Director of Schools who will continue the work of Dr. Airhart. The search committee appointed by the board will be tasked with finding her permanent replacement for recommendation to the board. That will be the big challenge. Putnam county will require a person of Dr. Airhart's stature in order to continue the efficient liason between the school board and the County Commission. That rapport was sorely lacking from the previous administration.
Dr. Airhart was hired just a couple of days following the fire that destroyed Jere Whitson school. She stepped into a situation that required her immediate attention under most trying circumstances. Yet, she effectively oversaw the task of relocating the school children to Eblen Center , then to the Algood school and the eventual rebuilding of the school. That was no easy task. Along the way, during the past 5 years she has guided the budget process for the school system and most recently has begun the process of building a new Monterey High School, an addition to Upperman and the renovation of Cornerstone Elementary School. This will require some $53 million in bonds and be no easy task for the new director to take on almost immediately.
Putnam County owes Dr. Airhart a gigantic debt of gratitude for the influence that she has had on the school system as Director for the past 5 years. She assumed the position following several years of unrest. She has been a stabilizing influence in an environment that was, well, less than stable before she took over. Let's hope the board will appoint a local person as interim Director and that a search committee will recommend a local person as well for the full time position. After all, Dr. Airhart was from Putnam County and was familiar with our school system. Surely there are people right here in Putnam County who are eminently qualified to be the next Director of Schools.
Dr. Airhart ...best of luck in your new endeavors...you will be missed!
