Prestonsburg High School announces new principal

FLOYD COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – Ricky Thacker has been announced by Floyd County Schools Superintendent Danny Adkins as the new principal at Prestonsburg High School (PHS).

Adkins comments, “We are excited to have Ricky become the lead administrator at PHS. He’ll be able to draw from his experience as a teacher and as an administrator as he steps into this new role. He has a great team to work with and we’re looking forward to hearing about great continued and new successes at PHS.”

Thacker has served as one of the high school’s assistant principals for the past four years. Prior to his administrative role, he taught algebra at Betsy Layne High School (BLHS), served as freshman academy lead and school director, and coached baseball and basketball. Thacker and his wife Stephanie have two children, Braden and Isabella.

The new principal says, “I’m blessed and thrilled to be serving as the new principal at Prestonsburg High School. In my four years as an assistant principal, I’ve worked with an amazing faculty that has student success as our #1 priority and we will be working to continue growing educationally.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to begin the 2021 school year with a sense of normalcy (post COVID), working each day to meet the needs of all our students, and to provide an educational foundation for students to be successful after high school. My wife is a PHS graduate and I know firsthand the loyalty that this school inspired in her as a student and in myself as an assistant principal,” shared Thacker. “Honoring traditions, beginning new journeys and making our school as successful as possible is very important to me.”

Thacker also acknowledged retired principal Lori Bricken and former BLHS principal Cassandra Akers for their leadership throughout his time working with them.

Superintendent Adkins said in his closing comments, “Bringing experience and enthusiasm with every role he’s had, we believe that Ricky will be a very valued addition to PHS in this role and to our district leadership team. We’re excited to work with him and to see the outstanding things he will do for his students and his school.”