Kentucky School Advocate
September 2023

By Brenna R. Kelly
Staff writer

Wayne County Schools
The Wayne County Schools Board of Education voted to hire Donnie Neal as the district’s superintendent July 27 with  a split vote of 3-2.

The board first voted on a motion to hire the district’s assistant superintendent Brian Dishman, but that vote failed 2-3. Board Chairman Larry Muse then made the motion to hire Neal.

Neal had previously worked in the district for 40 years including as an administrator, principal, assistant principal and teacher.  “There are a lot of exciting opportunities for our children that our staff have worked hard to achieve,” Neal said. “I certainly do not want to take away from all the gains that have been made in recent years.”

Neal said his plans for the district include: providing a safe and drug free school district, having a certified, qualified teacher in every classroom, providing all the support and resources available for teachers, living within the budget so there will be no new taxes and re-organizing the central office.

Neal began his career in education as a teacher at the Lake Cumberland Boys’ Camp where he taught social studies. He served as assistant principal at Turner Intermediate School for 10 years, principal at the school for seven years and in the district’s central office for eight years before retiring in 2020.

Williamsburg Independent
The Williamsburg Independent school board has hired Tabetha Housekeeper as the district’s superintendent. Housekeeper is the first female superintendent in the district’s 114-year history.

Housekeeper, who is originally from Letcher County, had been the director of Advanced Programs at the University of the Cumberlands. Prior to that role she served as director of student services for Scott County Schools.“It matters to me that (the board) sees my heart,” Housekeeper said as she accepted the job. “You guys see leadership in me and I want you to know that I’m not perfect ... but I love the people here and I will always put the kids first.”

Housekeeper began her career in education as a learning behavior disorder teacher in Clay County. She then served as elementary teacher, assistant principal and principal at Scott County before becoming the director of student services.

“I did not accept this role as superintendent to move up a professional ladder but, instead, I want to hold the ladder so that this school community can climb to the top,” she said.

Housekeeper is in the doctoral program for educational leadership at the University of the Cumberlands and will begin her superintendent certification this fall at Eastern Kentucky University.

Interim superintendents: 
Clinton County Schools: Boyd Randolph, former Somerset Independent superintendent.

Danville Independent: Elmer Thomas, former Madison County Schools superintendent.

Logan County: Leon Smith, former Russellville Independent superintendent.  

Owensboro Independent: Anita Burnette, former principal of Owensboro Independent High School.

Russellville Independent: Kyle Estes, former Hancock County Schools superintendent.

New superintendents previously featured in the Advocate:
Adair County: Jason Faulkner
 
Anchorage Independent: Karen Solise

Bourbon County: Larry Begley

Boyle County: Mark Wade

Elizabethtown Independent: Paul Mullins

Estill County: Charlie Brock

Elliott County: Michael Melton

Fulton Independent: Jeff Rogers

Lincoln County: Bruce Smith

McCracken County: Josh Hunt

McCreary County: Brian Crawford  

Rowan County: Michael Rowe

Spencer County: Willie Foster

Trimble County: Todd Neace