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 Three Spring-Ford schools have new administrators this year. Spring City Elementary School welcomed Kathleen Kotch as its principal; Spring-Ford Intermediate School welcomed Ed Smith as its principal, and the 9th Grade Center welcomed Corey Jones as house principal for the Class of 2012.
Kotch began working at Spring City on July 1. She replaces Willard Cromley, who retired last spring after 36 years in the district. Kotch introduced herself to the Spring City community by sending letters to parents, students and staff before the school year began on Aug. 25.
“Everyone who works here is so genuinely warm and nice. They couldn’t be more helpful,” Kotch said of her first few weeks in the building. “It’s a good feeling to walk into such a warm and caring place.”
Prior to serving as Spring City’s principal, Kotch had been working as the district’s public outreach coordinator. These duties, which include coordinating the district’s community education program, will continue to be a part of her role as principal.
Kotch has had nine years of previous administrative experience. She received her bachelor’s degree from West Chester University, her master’s degree from St. Joseph’s University and is enrolled in a doctoral program at Immaculata University.
“It’s going to be a great year,” she said.
Smith replaces retired principal William Marion at the intermediate school. He shared the same sense of optimism about the coming school year.
“My first impressions of Spring-Ford can be summed up in one word: community,” Smith said. “Everyone from district employees, to my administrative colleagues, parents, staff members and students has graciously welcomed me. I am extremely proud to be a part of this school district and am looking forward to the many challenges and rewards that we will encounter throughout the school year.”
Smith said he is excited to see such a high degree of parental involvement. He comes to Spring-Ford from Amity Intermediate Center, a school in the Daniel Boone Area School District serving second to fifth grades. He served as Amity’s principal since 2003. Prior to that, he was a principal at several elementary schools in Virginia.
Smith received his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University, his master’s degree from George Mason University and is studying for his doctoral degree at Widener University.
“One of my most important goals for the coming year is to get to know the 1200 students and their families and assimilate into the Spring-Ford community. I have had countless welcomes and it has been uplifting, to say the least,” Smith remarked.
Jones will serve as house principal for the Class of 2012. Under Spring-Ford’s “house” system, principals are assigned to a class and stay with that class from freshman year through graduation. He will be located at the 9th Grade Center this year.
Jones comes to Spring-Ford after serving as assistant principal at Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster. Previously he served as assistant principal and athletic director at Tulpehocken High School and dean of students in the Exeter School District near Reading.
He received his bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University, his master’s from Wilkes University and is pursuing a doctoral degree at Immaculata University.
Jones is impressed with Spring-Ford’s reputation and progressive nature and is looking forward to contributing to the goals set forth by the administration.
“I am hoping to do everything I can to work with staff, students and parents and help them be successful,” he commented.
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