Ash Grove R-4 announces hire of Ash Grove elementary principal

After reviewing 35 applicants, conducting eight interviews and another three finalist interviews, the Ash Grove Board of Education decided they had their next Ash Grove Elementary School princi- pal, and that person is Kelli Hart- man. The hire was announced at the Jan. 28 Ash Grove Board of Education meeting.
Hartman is currently a kinder- garten teacher at Strafford but will take the reins at Ash Grove this coming summer.
“She has many years of el- ementary experience at multiple grade levels and currently func- tions as Strafford’s sub admin- istrator, as well,” said Ash Grove Superintendent Dr. Aaron Gerla. “Mrs. Hartman was in our build- ing earlier today meeting the fac-
ulty, staff and students and left those meetings extremely excited to get started. Her official con- tract begins July 1, but she will be around the district a lot this spring and will be part of the de- cision making process for plans for next year.”
Also during the meeting, pre- sentations were given by faculty members Austin Houp—on tech- nology, and Amanda Cox—on Ro- setta Stone/credit recovery.
It was also announced that the district will be switching to Software Unlimited for school ac- counting software.
In action during the meeting, the board voted 6-0 to accept MSBA Board Policy updates; and to accept a donation from the Martin Trust worth approximate- ly $36,000.