Henderson County highlights leadership institute, continued focus on professional learning communities

Henderson County Schools’ leadership team updated the board July 21 on the district’s annual leadership institute and strategic plan efforts, emphasizing multi‑year work on professional learning communities (PLCs), coaching and leadership development.

Superintendent Doctor Lawson said the district recently returned from a two‑day leadership institute in Louisville that included about 55 to 60 attendees — principals, assistant principals and special‑education staff — and that the district has made the institute a multi‑year, sequential program rather than a one‑time workshop. He described the work as focused on “rooting our core values” and building systems of coaching and PLCs to support student achievement.

Principals who spoke on a video shown to the board said the institute strengthened their ability to coach teachers and to use PLC processes. A principal from South Middle School said the retreat deepened coaching practices and reinforced shared responsibility for student learning across teachers, leaders and families. Katie Kirkwood, identified as principal at Big Gate Elementary, said revisiting core values and PLC work each year has helped her school build on prior progress.

Lawson described the institute as the fifth year of the sequential program and said the district’s theme for the coming year centers on “friendship” as a relational foundation for collaborative leadership. Board members thanked central office staff for the ongoing investment in leadership development.

The presentation linked leadership development to the district’s broader strategic plan areas including facilities and professional development, but no board action was required.