Tim Hitzfield

Tim Hitzfield

Tim Hitzfield, the principal of Conner High School (Boone County), was named the 2013 School Administrator of the Year by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). The announcement was made recently during the organization’s annual leadership institute in Louisville.Another Boone County Schools staff member, Deputy Superintendent Karen Cheser, was named the District Administrator of the Year.

During Hitzfield’s six years at the helm of Conner High, the school has improved in state and national assessment scores, including AP and ACT exams; and had students earn more than 1,500 hours of college credit and $9 million in college scholarships.

Hitzfield implemented a successful Character Counts program, instituting response to intervention initiatives for reading and mathematics to combating bullying, launching an aerospace program and developing a technology approach for teachers.

In addition to her service as a district level administrator, Cheser has served as a teacher, coach, principal, RSC consultant and distinguished educator for the Kentucky Department of Education.

Karen Cheser

Karen Cheser

According to Boone County Superintendent and KASA Superintendent of the Year Randy Poe, Cheser’s most significant accomplishment in her professional education career has been her impact on students who were struggling.The Kentucky Association of School Administrators is the largest public school administrators group in Kentucky, representing more than 3,000 education leaders from across the commonwealth. Formed in 1969, KASA connects education leaders to policymakers, legislators, and other interest groups, and provides numerous benefits and services to Kentucky’s school administrators. In addition, KASA represents the profession on the national level through the American Association of School Administrators.