Ellizabethtown High School has a new principal.
Elizabethtown Independent School District Acting Superintendent Chase Goff announced the appointment Tuesday of Ben Monnett as the next principal.
“I first want to commend the EHS site based decision making council for their diligence in this process.
“The applicant pool was very strong and speaks to the Tradition of Excellence that’s been built at EHS,” Goff said in a news release from the district.
“As we reviewed applications, performed reference checks and conducted extensive interviews, it became clear that Mr. Monnett had the leadership demeanor, background, experience and integrity to lead EHS into the future.”
Monnett, who most recently served as an educational recovery leader for the Kentucky Department of Education, joins the EIS team July 1.
Criteria for the position was categorized in three major themes based on feedback from a stakeholder survey: a refocus on accountability, discipline and school culture; high expectations for student learning; and the need to continue to grow to meet the challenges for our community in the future, the release said.
Monnett wants to pursue these priorities through a systematic and intentional focus on results while maintaining the unrelenting pursuit of excellence that is present throughout the school and district.
“What sets Elizabethtown High School and the Elizabethtown district apart from others is their insistence on excellence in all things,” Monnett said in the release.
“I’m humbled to have the opportunity to lead and learn in a district that is committed to that pursuit and look forward to continuing to build upon that legacy for future generations of Panthers.”
Monnett graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in special education and middle grades education and a Masters in education technology.
He completed his administrator program at the University of Kentucky as part of the Next Generation Leadership Academy. He also has completed the National Institutes of School Leadership program through the Kentucky Department of Education.
In addition to his current work, Monnett has served as principal of Nelson County High School, academic dean at Fleming County High School, and as a special education teacher.
“His past experiences will be a tremendous asset as we continue to increase opportunities and provide a powerful experience for our students,” Goff said in the release.
Monnett is married to Lauren and they have two children, Kayden, 12, and Preston, 8. Over the next several months, Monnett will be transitioning with his family to Elizabethtown from Bardstown.
“We look forward to welcoming Ben and his family to EHS and the EIS family,” Goff said.
Monnett succeeds Thad Elmore, who announced his resignation at the beginning of the month.
More information and details regarding a meet-and-greet for EHS families will be released following the KHSAA dead period.