Kelly Howerton is stepping down as Dolores Elementary School principal, leaving a principal vacancy again in the district.
Howerton stepped into the role at the beginning of this year, after serving as dean of elementary students for four years. She will be moving to Norman, Oklahoma, to be closer to her mother and two daughters, Superintendent Lis Richard said in her monthly newsletter.
“Her tenure at Dolores Elementary School has been filled with wonderful memories and accomplishments,” Richard wrote.
Howerton was approved for the principal position at a school board meeting last May, after Gary Livick, who had been the elementary school principal since 2015, announced his resignation in March 2019.
She had been in education for about 20 years, according to her biography on the Dolores School District Re-4A website.
At a special board meeting April 28, board members went into an executive session to discuss the resignation with Howerton and offered her the opportunity to pursue another one at the upcoming May meeting. She declined.
“I’ve only tried to serve our district the best I could,” Howerton said.
In her letter, Richard applauded Howerton’s focus on project-based learning and work with students and teachers.
“Mrs. Howerton will be greatly missed,” Richard said. “She has left Dolores Elementary School better for being there.”
ealvero @the-journal.com
