Two Fayette County schools to get new principals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- New principals have been selected at Dixie Magnet Elementary and Lexington Traditional Magnet School, Superintendent Manny Caulk announced today.

“With every hire, we’re raising the bar for what it means to be a leader in the Fayette County Public Schools,” Caulk said. “Research has shown that the principal is the second most important factor in increasing student achievement behind having an excellent teacher in the classroom. We are establishing leadership excellence across the district.”

Named today were:

• Larry Caudill, new principal of Lexington Traditional Magnet School
• Robin Steiner, new principal of Dixie Magnet Elementary School

“After meeting individually with Larry and Robin, I’m confident that they both have the experience, core values and energy to be agents of change,” Caulk said. “They share a commitment to engaging all members of the school community in the effort to help every student reach his or her unlimited potential.”

Caudill has more than 18 years of experience in education and is returning to Fayette County, where he started his teaching career Tates Creek Middle and Tates Creek High schools. He served for three years as assistant principal at Woodford County High School before becoming principal at Simmons Elementary in 2008. He holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Rio Grande, a master’s degree in instructional leadership and certifications as a director of pupil personnel, superintendent and instructional supervisor from Eastern Kentucky University, and is currently working toward his doctorate at the University of the Cumberlands.

According to the school district, Steiner has more than 25 years of experience in education beginning in New Hampshire where she was a teacher, dean of humanities, assistant superintendent, and adjunct university professor. She joined the staff at Meadowthorpe Elementary in 2011, and served as a science teacher, response to intervention coach and administrative dean during her time there. For the past two years Steiner has been the district office liaison to Bryan Station High School and has played a significant role in many of the improvements taking place there. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science and master’s degrees in teaching from the University of New Hampshire, where she also completed all of her coursework toward her doctorate.

Caudill and Steiner will officially assume their duties on July 1, 2016.