At the July 20 meeting, the Kenston Board of Education accepted the retirement of Mrs. Patricia Brockway as a middle school principal. Mrs. Brockway has been with the district since 1996 serving as middle school assistant principal prior to taking leadership as a middle school principal in 1999. Mrs. Brockway has agreed to serve as Curriculum Coordinator overseeing the individual virtual education of students through the end of January 2021.
“I have been part of the Kenston community for over half of my career and have loved every minute of it. Students are the constant in our changing educational world. I will miss the daily interactions, conversations, humor and wisdom that only middle schoolers can share. I have been so fortunate to have collaborated with this amazing staff at KMS. While I look forward to my retirement in January, it will be bittersweet to leave my Kenston family,” said Pat Brockway.
Superintendent Nancy Santilli said, “We value her veteran leadership as we transition to a year where we must be adaptable to meet the needs of our students.”
Current Kenston Intermediate School principal Mr. Adam Fender will fill the vacancy created by Mrs. Brockway’s retirement. Mr. Fender began his Kenston career as the middle school assistant principal in 2011 before becoming principal at Kenston Intermediate School in 2014. He began his education career teaching seventh and eighth-grade science in the Euclid City School District. He served as an assistant principal at Euclid Central Middle School for three years before becoming head principal at Memorial Park Elementary School.
“I am honored to receive this challenging new opportunity and I assure you that I come to KMS excited, prepared and confident that together we can conquer the challenges that lie before us,” said Mr. Fender.
The Board approved Mr. Matthew Watts as principal at Kenston Intermediate School. Mr. Watts has served as assistant principal at Kenston High School since 2016. Before coming to Kenston, he began his teaching career in the Berea City Schools as a fourth-grade teacher before teaching middle school students. He started his administrative career as the Intern Assistant Principal at Brook Park Memorial Elementary School before becoming the assistant principal at Ford Intermediate School in the Berea City School District.
“I am excited and honored to begin serving the Kenston community in my new role as Principal of Kenston Intermediate School,” said Mr. Watts. “As the new year approaches, I am eager to continue the innovative and inspiring educational opportunities that KIS offers while meeting the ongoing challenges associated with the Responsible Restart – Back-to-School Plan.”
“These administrators bring outstanding experience and knowledge of the district. They have shown great dedication to Kenston students and work tirelessly to move the district forward,” said Superintendent Santilli.