Keith Hale, superintendent of Glasgow Independent Schools, listens as members of the school system’s board of education converse at an earlier meeting.
(WCLU NEWS FILE PHOTO)
GLASGOW — Monday was a rather eventful day for the Glasgow Independent School District. A desperately-needed position was filled at Highland Elementary, while the search for a new superintendent is just getting started.
Around 5:00 p.m. Philip West was introduced as the newest principal at Highland. West has more than twenty years experience in the education field – serving as a music teacher and band director before taking on the role of assistant principal for Green County High School. The past seven years he has served as the head principal of Green County Middle School.
West viewed this position as a golden opportunity. One he could not let slip away.
“This is a really special school and a really special district,” he said. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Philip West will replace Jennifer Myers, who has served as principal of Highland Elementary since 2017.
In other news, Glasgow’s superintendent, Keith Hale, announced his retirement just four months after the board approved an extension to his contract. Originally, his contract was scheduled to end in June 2023, but the board awarded him another year as superintendent.
Board member, Dr. William Thornbury, expressed gratitude for Hale’s leadership the last six years.
“Hale is walking out at the summit of Glasgow’s academic excellence,” he said to the board. “His accomplishments speak for themselves and I am very pleased that he devoted his career to us. We greatly appreciate all he has done for us and I hope he can enjoy the retirement he well-earned. Thank you.”
In accordance with Board Policy 02.14 and in compliance with requirements of the Kentucky Department of Education, the board conducted an annual evaluation of Hale, consisting of seven standards: strategic leadership, instructional leadership, cultural leadership, human resources leadership, managerial leadership, collaborative leadership and influential leadership.
The board agreed that Keith Hale scored exemplary in all standards except in the area of human resources leadership. They stated Mr. Hale continued to collaborate with principals and the curriculum coordinator to use data to create district policies. He also attempted to assist with personnel issues in the district when needed. The circumstances were extremely difficult due to the multi-year COVID-19 pandemic, but the board ultimately agreed Hale’s score in that area is accomplished.
The board’s next order of business, following Hale’s departure, is to hire a consultant to assist in the process of hiring a new superintendent. They voted to try to secure a contract with Phil Eason, who works through the Superintended Association through the state of Kentucky.
“Phil has helped us with our last two superintendent searches,” board member Dr. Amelia Kiser said. “We are all very comfortable with him so we’re going to see if we can secure a contract for his services.”
Assuming the board is able to secure a contract with Eason, the next item on the agenda is to set a timeline for the process of finding an interim superintendent.
The soon-to-be-former superintendent wouldn’t disclose what his plans were for his retirement but he had high praise for the school and the board.
“I appreciate the board’s support and their evaluation of me,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to be able to work for Glasgow Independent Schools. I tell everybody, you can’t be more blessed to send your kids here but I actually had the opportunity to work here. I just appreciate everybody.”