Fortkamp hired as new Celina athletic director

CELINA - A city employee was hired Monday night as the school district's new athletic director.

School board members approved the hiring of Celina Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Fortkamp to replace Bruce Boley, who will retire Aug. 15. Boley will continue in a temporary role as an assistant athletic director until the end of 2014, per approval by the board.

The temporary position will allow Boley to reach 36 years of public service. He currently earns approximately $92,000; the salary will decrease to about $25,000 when he takes on the assistant position from August to December, superintendent Jesse Steiner has said.
Fortkamp's starting annual salary is $70,935 per his three-year contract, Steiner said. He was chosen for the job from 29 submitted applicants.

"It was difficult because we had three final candidates who were very good," Steiner said.

Fortkamp's on-the-job experience in budgeting and scheduling was similar to what he'll be doing when he takes over, he said.

He also noted. "He's a Celina guy."

Fortkamp said he's been the city parks director since 1991 and will leave the job July 31. He said he is looking forward to working with the students and coaches, and added he's familiar with many of the coaches and players because he has hired several of them to work as referees or at the pool.

Fortkamp said he worked with officials in other cities or school districts to put together tournaments or other events and the experience will help him coordinate school athletic events.

He appreciates that Boley will be around until the end of the year to help him learn the job.

Celina Mayor Jeff Hazel said this morning the city will begin reassessing the parks and recreation director position, adding it may be changed to part time.

"We will start looking (for someone)," the mayor said. "We've got a few internal ideas."

It will be difficult to replace Fortkamp, Hazel said.

"We just really appreciated Jeff throughout the years. He was a tremendous asset," he said.

Hazel provided no timeframe for the candidate search but emphasized that not only will recreational activities continue as planned, they will soon be expanded.

When re-evaluating the position, city officials said they also will take into account state dollars coming in July that will allow the city to expand Eastview and Westview parks. Celina was awarded $285,000 toward $472,000 in baseball field upgrades at Westview and $150,000 toward a $478,000 upgrade at Eastview.

- Reporter William Kincaid contributed to this story.

Correction:

Celina City Schools athletic director Bruce Boley's retirement will be effective Dec. 31, after he serves as assistant athletic director. The error was made in the editing process.