The USD 231 Board of Education is pleased to announce the hiring of three administrators new to the District and the transfer of three administrators to new roles. During the June 12 meeting, the board approved the hires of Daniel Pollitt, Ph.D., Coordinator of Social-Emotional Learning; Emily Fleming, Madison Elementary Principal; and Molly Bachkora, Assistant Principal at Gardner Edgerton High School. The Board also approved the transfers of Tanner Rainbolt (current Assistant Principal at Wheatridge Middle School) to Interim Principal of Wheatridge Middle School; John Duncanson (current Coordinator of GEYCP) to Assistant Principal at Wheatridge Middle School; and Amy Droegemeier (current Director of Nutrition Services) to Executive Director of Business and Finance. These employees will begin their new roles on July 1, 2023.
Dr. Pollitt is an experienced educator who is professionally trained in the interventions and systems that improve teaching and learning. Pollitt has served numerous roles throughout preK-12 settings, including classroom teacher, paraeducator, building administrator, and district and state technical assistance provider. Dr. Pollitt is a vocal advocate for all students, promoting equity, equality, and justice in his daily work. In 2013, Dan earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, focusing on special education, adolescent literacy, and specific learning disabilities.
Dr. Pollitt has taught in southern Minnesota, at Horizon Academy in Roeland Park, KS, and most recently at Eisenhower Middle School in Kansas City Kansas Public Schools. As the behavioral health team lead, Dan coached a dozen mental health professionals using a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework to strengthen core behavioral practices. He supervised the identification of students with social-emotional learning needs and the implementation of targeted tier 2 and tier 3 student intervention groups. At weekly MTSS meetings, Dan worked closely with classroom teachers and school leaders in using screening and progress monitoring data to make informed decisions.
In 2021, Dan was selected as an emerging urban administrative leader and serves on the
statewide United School Administrators of Kansas (USA Kansas) program. He has taught nearly 40 undergraduate and graduate courses for future teachers at five colleges and universities. Dr. Pollitt holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, a master’s from Minnesota State, and KSDE licenses in adaptive special education and building leadership. He is a third-generation Chicago Cubs fan, has run six 26.2-mile marathons, and enjoys gardening and biking with his three children.
Mrs. Fleming started her teaching career in the same classroom where she student taught in the Kansas City Kansas Public School District. She spent 13 years in KCKPS as a teacher, instructional coach, and early childhood administrator. Emily has a reputation for having high expectations for learning and is known for her ability to develop and maintain strong relationships. While in KCK, Mrs. Fleming was honored as a Kansas Teacher of the Year finalist. Also, she had the opportunity to co-present at the International Reading Association Annual Convention on the subject of literacy instruction for English Language Learners.
Over the last five years, Emily has served as the principal of Rockville Elementary School and Circle Grove Preschool in Louisburg, Kansas. During this time, she honed her skills as a building leader devoted to supporting staff and students, building a caring, safe, and engaged school community, and passionately working to develop the potential in everyone.
Emily received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Baker University, her ESL endorsement from Kansas State University, and her Master's in School Leadership from Baker University.
Mrs. Bachkora started her educational career in Leavenworth, teaching science and coaching volleyball at Xavier Catholic School. Molly then transitioned to Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) for the next nine years. While in KCKPS, she was heavily active in district curriculum design, capstone projects, and building-level initiatives, such as founding an annual school-wide STEM competition and designing and producing a sustainable on-site orchard to supply healthy and free fruit options to community members. Molly also enjoyed coaching volleyball, basketball, and boys' and girls’ soccer.
Molly then moved over to Missouri to the Center School District. Here, she led the design, implementation, and running of the “School Within A School” program, the school’s first functioning alternative school setting for students who struggled behaviorally in traditional school settings.
Mrs. Bachkora received her Master’s in Administration from Pittsburg State University in 2021 and most recently worked in the Raytown Quality Schools District, where she served as a middle school administrator.
Tanner Rainbolt is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Carl Garrett.
John Duncanson is filling the vacancy created by Tanner’s move to lead principal.
Amy Droegemeier is filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Tiffany Morawiec (current Director of Business and Finance).
The vacancy created by Amy moving to Business and Finance will be posted immediately.
“We are extremely excited to add these three individuals to our administrative team and transfer current high-performing staff into new roles. Each possesses a strong background in leadership and will serve the District and our students extremely well,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Huff.
