Kentucky School Advocate
May 2024
Owensboro Independent
The Owensboro Independent school board unanimously voted to name Wendy Duvall as the district’s next superintendent. Duvall, who was assistant superintendent of Todd County Schools, assumed the interim role from Anita Burnette and will officially be superintendent on July 1.
“I have always been a part of districts that cherish their students and create environments where student learning is at the forefront of all decisions and I look forward to doing the same at Owensboro Public Schools,” she said. “Owensboro is a city full of diversity and opportunities and I look forward to building relationships with our local community partners and finding new, innovative ways to work together for our students and their families.”
Duvall had been assistant superintendent at Todd County for three years. Prior to her time there, Duvall spent 14 years as the principal of Hopkinsville Middle School. In that role, she improved the school’s state assessment scores and raised more than $1.2 million dollars in grant funding.
She has also been a middle school math, science and social studies teacher in Tennessee and Kentucky, and curriculum specialist and English teacher at Hopkinsville High School.
“The board received several quality applicants from the screening committee, but Dr. Duvall’s experience in a variety of areas in districts very similar to ours set her apart,” said board chairman Jeremy Luckett. “The board believes that her ability to build relationships with students, families and the community as well as her track record of leadership and student success makes her the right choice to lead Owensboro.”
Duvall thanked the board “for having the confidence and faith in me to lead Owensboro Public Schools to greater academic achievement,” and added, “I can’t wait to get started.”
Dayton Independent
The Dayton Independent Board of Education has announced it has hired Rick Wolf, the district’s director of curriculum and instruction, as the next superintendent.
Wolf has spent his entire career at Dayton, starting as an English teacher in the middle school where he taught from 2000 to 2009. He also served as dean of students and athletic director from 2007-2009. From there, he served as principal of the high school before taking on his current role as director of teaching and learning in 2013.
Wolf played a key role in moving Dayton High School from priority status to a Distinguished high school and the district to a Distinguished school district under the state’s accountability system. He is credited with expanding opportunities for students to earn dual credit at Gateway Community and Technical College and Northern Kentucky University (NKU). He was also instrumental in implementing the “Science of Reading” districtwide with the support of the Reading League of New York.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education/middle school English from Thomas More College and completed Instructional Leadership for Principals and Instructional Leadership for Superintendents at NKU.
The board’s statement on Wolf’s hiring noted his outreach and support of students and families in the district.
“Rick Wolf lives the mission of Dayton Independent Schools to inspire, engage and grow each of our students,” the statement said.
Lewis County
The Lewis County school board has named Michael Melton as the district’s next superintendent. Melton is currently the superintendent of Elliott County Schools.
Melton has been an educator for 28 years. In addition to Elliott County, he has worked in Letcher County and Bath County school districts.
Melton began as a social studies teacher in Letcher County. He then worked in schools across the county for 25 years before becoming director of pupil personnel at Bath County Schools in 2022.
He has also worked as a high school assistant principal, elementary principal, elementary athletic administrator, high school athletic administrator, district athletic administrator, transportation director, maintenance director, facilities director, pupil personnel director, safe schools coordinator, health services director, Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSC) director, counseling coordinator and student information services director.
Melton is known across Kentucky for his work officiating sports with the Kentucky High School Athletics Association. In addition to his work as an educator, Melton has driven a school bus for more than 20 years and is a bus driver trainer.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Alice Lloyd College, a master’s degree from Morehead State University, a masters in school administration/principalship from Union College and earned his doctorate in educational leadership from Morehead State University.
Daviess County
The Daviess County school board unanimously voted to hire Charles Broughton as the district’s superintendent. Broughton, the district’s current assistant superintendent for Student Services, will assume his new responsibilities on July 1.
“I would like to thank the board members for having confidence and trust in me to lead this district. DCPS is filled with exceptional leaders, teachers and staff; these individuals make our district a great place to learn and work,” he said. “I have been fortunate to serve in many roles within our district, including teacher, coach, principal and district leader. I am confident that each of those positions prepared me for this opportunity.”
Before becoming assistant superintendent, Broughton served as principal of Apollo High School. He began his education career in 1997 as a teacher at Daviess County High School and served as assistant principal at Hancock County High School before returning to Daviess County in 2010. Broughton received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1996, a Master of Arts degree in education with an emphasis on educational administration in 2002, and Rank I Certification in 2008, all from Western Kentucky University. He earned superintendent certification through the University of the Cumberlands in 2021.
Board Chairman James Morgan said the board received several outstanding applicants and thanked the screening committee for their work.
“But Mr. Broughton’s steadfast commitment to ensuring excellence and profound dedication to putting kids first set him apart,” he said. “The board believes in his ability to continue fostering a culture of continuous improvement and lead effectively with all faculty and staff to cultivate an environment where every student thrives.”
Grant County
The Grant County school board has named Todd Moody the district's 14th superintendent. Moody is currently the principal of Grant County High School and will begin his new role on July 1.
Moody said he has a strong belief in the Grant County school system and the people in it.
“I look forward to partnering with the great people of this community to inspire and grow the hope of our future,” he said.
Moody started in the district in 2019 as the principal of Mason-Corinth Elementary, then in 2022, he became the high school principal. Prior to Grant County, Moody worked in Williamstown Independent, Clark County Schools, Kenton County Schools and Boone County Schools.
Board chair Lisa Smith said that during the interview process, Moody provided the board with a plan and vision of what Grant County Schools can become.
“His plans for our district will be achieved through collaboration, communication and climate,” she said.
Moody also has a strong belief that the district’s board team has the ability to impact and influence the community.
“There is no overestimating the impact of a strong school board-superintendent relationship when it is focused on shaping the future of a community,” he said.
Moody’s plans include enhancing opportunities for students and continuing to expose them to possibilities for college and careers after high school.
“We need to continue to survey our community and our employers to ensure that we are offering pathways that lead to real employment opportunities, to broaden our students’ perceptions and to inspire them to cultivate their skills and interests in work that is meaningful and fruitful,” he said.
Pike County
The Pike County Board of Education has unanimously selected the district’s assistant superintendent Freddie Bowling as the district’s next superintendent. He will assume his new role July 1.
At the meeting announcing his hiring, Bowling spoke to the board and the audience, according to the Appalachian New Express.
“I want to thank you for putting your trust in me – I have big shoes to fill,” he said, referring to current Superintendent Reed Adkins who is retiring. “All of my family was born, raised and educated in Pike County. I am extremely proud of that fact. I am looking forward to moving this school system forward in the coming years.”
Adkins also asked the board for permission to speak about Bowling’s hiring.
“I won’t get emotional,” he said. “Freddie has done an outstanding job over the last 20 years. During the last nine years (as assistant superintendent), he has worked hard and has been loyal and honest. He is very instructionally minded, which I needed.”
Bowling previously served as principal of Valley Elementary School in Pike County and as superintendent of Jenkins Independent until 2015 when he became assistant superintendent of Pike County.
New superintendents previously featured in the Advocate
Clinton County: Wayne Ackerman
Danville Independent: Ron Ballard
Logan County: Dan Costellow