Lenape Tech Administrative Director Retiring in June

by Jonathan Weaver

The head of a Manor Township technical school will retire at the end of June.

Lenape Tech Administrative Director Dawn Kocher-Taylor request for early retirement was accepted by Joint Operating Committee members from all four member school districts – Apollo-Ridge, Armstrong, Freeport and Leechburg – last night during their monthly meeting.

After being principal at Leechburg and Deer Lakes for eight years, Lenape Tech Principal Karen Brock returned to Lenape Tech to work with Kocher-Taylor.

“It’s been wonderful – I’ve been working with her ever since she came here,” Brock said. “She’s a visionary. She has changed Lenape to make it the school that it is today.

“It’ll be tough not having her here.”

Freeport Area School Board Representatives Dan Lucovich and Dr. John Marty – the JOC’s vice-chairman - also had positive things to say about Kocher-Taylor following last night’s meeting. Lucovich starting interacting with Kocher-Taylor during his time as a school director in the mid-1990’s.

“She’s been just a wonderful lady, a great person – she has a great personality (and) she’s done wonderful things here,” Lucovich said. “We’re sad to see her go, but we wish her all the luck in her retirement.”

Committee members also physically applauded Kocher-Taylor before approving her request.

Kocher-Taylor – who will be completing nearly her 20th year at Lenape Tech – also thanked committee members.

Under Kocher-Taylor’s watch, Lenape Tech has had many student and community successes, including a re-established Butler County Community College satellite campus in Armstrong County, expanded the campus across Chaplin Avenue to open a new Adult Learning Center, and expand the Practical Nursing Program to a satellite campus at Lawrence County Technical Center in New Castle.

In previous interviews, Kocher-Taylor said the ongoing community support also readily plays a role in student success.

In addition to Kocher-Taylor, Health/Medical Assistant Instructor Rebecca Cappo also applied for and was approved retirement, effective May 30.