HCS administrator takes principal post at Brown Street

A Hardin County Schools administrator is following his passion back into school-level management.

Robert King, associate superintendent for instructional services, has been hired as principal at Brown Street Alternative Education Center. King will leave his associate superintendent position, which he’s held since 2007, to start as principal July 1.

King said his biggest interest lies in working with at-risk students and helping them succeed, but that was only one aspect of his current job.

“Now it allows me to focus on my passion,” he said of the Brown Street position.

That passion comes from his own childhood when he was struggling to succeed, which instilled in him a desire to help others in the same position.

“These students need someone to believe in them,” King said.

Along with principal duties, King will serve as the district’s dropout prevention administrator. King will work with schools at all levels to identify students who need extra help to graduate.

King said students at Brown Street need to be assisted on a social and emotional level before they can be helped academically, a process that takes time.

“I’m not going to go in there and change the world in a day,” King said.

King replaces Ron Ortiz, who is leaving the dual positions this summer to return to his previous position as principal of Central Hardin High School.

Ortiz replaced Joe Welch at Brown Street in January after Welch’s retirement.

The associate superintendent position will be posted to make a new hire.

Superintendent Nannette Johnston said in a news release that King has a lot to offer in his new role.

“His knowledge and skills combined with his passion and vision for the program makes him a tremendous match,” Johnston said.

Kelly Cantrall can be reached at (270) 505-1747 or kcantrall@thenewsenterprise.com.