Families at two Olentangy elementary schools will have a new administrator handling discipline, attendance and safety drills when classes resume Aug. 19.
Krista Keipper, a three-year special education supervisor at Conger Elementary, has been promoted to a newly created assistant principal position serving both Conger and Carlisle Elementary. The role was added because enrollment is climbing at both buildings, Keipper told the Delaware Gazette.
She estimates she'll work with close to 1,000 students across the two schools combined.
The position grew organically. When Keipper's special education office moved from Willis Education Center to Conger, she began pitching in on building duties alongside Conger principal Mary Krell. She filled in as acting principal when Krell was out.
"I feel like it's been a natural role," Keipper told the Gazette. "I've been helping with discipline and when (Krell) was out, I basically was the principal."
At both Carlisle and Conger, Keipper will carry the same responsibilities: attendance intervention, safety drills, discipline support and day-to-day administrative tasks that free up each building's principal to focus on students and families.
The appointment reflects broader growth across the Olentangy Local School District, which adds an average of 400 to 500 students per year, according to district figures. Olentangy is one of Ohio's largest districts, with more than 10,000 students, and has ranked among the state's fastest-growing for more than two decades.
Keipper was photographed Aug. 12 walking the halls at Carlisle as she prepared for the year. She said she wants families to see a consistent administrative presence at both buildings.
Upcoming community dates:
- Wednesday, Aug. 19 — First day of school, Olentangy Local School District
