Dohrmann's retirement reveals watershed moment for Oconee County Board of Education


Dr. Thomas Dohrmann announced his retirement from the head of the Oconee County Board of Education last night. This former Hoosier was still talking to people outside of the meeting well after its conclusion Monday evening. He has done a lot to transition the School system into the latter half of the 20th century just in time for the 21st century. The Board of Education is one of our best assets in Oconee County, and I hope the next Superintendent does as good a job as Dr. Dohrmann has. The following is from the Oconee County Board of Education website:

Dr. Tom Dohrmann, an Indiana native, has been involved in the field of education since 1968. He has served in all areas of a school system. He and his wife, Beth, have five children and three grandchildren. Tom has been the Superintendent of Oconee County Schools since May 2, 2005. Beth is a first grade teacher at Rocky Branch Elementary School.

Dr. Dohrmann received his Bachelor of Science from Valparaiso University; his Master of Science from Indiana University; and his Doctorate from the University of North Carolina. He feels that a successful school system has a working, trusting relationship among all stakeholders. The vision of continuous student improvement must be shared and nurtured. Maintaining open communication, with this shared vision, is vital to the success of the community. Trust, collaboration, communication, and congeniality equal a successful school system. Dr. Dohrmann is dedicated to continuous student improvement and feels that this is the core belief valued by all stakeholders.

With the contested election coming up for the primary in July, please select your elected officials carefully for the upcoming Board of Education elections. I also hope the current Board of Education members allow the fledgling Charter School a chance to educate our students in math and science better than they are currently. There are rumblings that they will turn it down and I hope they do not do that based on skin color or difference in educational philosophies or having to work more.

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