MARSHALL COUNTY, Ky. — Monday marked day one for a local school superintendent. After a months-long search, Marshall County Schools Superintendent Bill Thorpe began his tenure in the role Monday and laid out his plan for the rest of the summer and upcoming school year.
Thorpe spent his first day meeting school administrators and had a few meetings.
In his early days on the job, Thorpe will learn the ropes at Marshall County to ensure everyone in the district is working toward the same goal.
After he left his last superintendent job at Trigg County Schools, Thorpe said he's ready.
“We have to keep things running. We have the day-to-day operation of the schools. And so really, it's maybe on a different scale, but it's the same stuff, same information, same process going forward in regardless of what district you're in,” Thorpe said.
For the rest of the summer, Thorpe will focus on settling in, as well is hiring employees for the start of the school year.
However, Thorpe said he's most excited about getting involved in the community.
For Thorpe, building connections with the community, especially the students, is what makes his job worthwhile.
“I met three former students in here at the rotary meeting today who got rotary scholarships. I knew all three of them, but I knew them when they were little. Now they're 18-year-old seniors moving to college and it was it was wonderful thing to see,” said Thorpe.
Thorpe acknowledged there was some concern during the search about who would fill the superintendent position. He said since he's come back to his home county, there's been nothing but positive reception.
Thorpe's entry into the superintendent role comes on the heels of controversy after former Superintendent Steve Miracle claimed the Marshall County school board attempted to influence personnel decisions based on their own wants, rather than on the best interest of the district.
In response, Thorpe said he is coming into the position with a blank slate.
