Brown named interim superintendent of the district where his career began
Tom Brown, second from right, speaks with board of education members and its attorney following Brown’s appointment as interim superintendent. From left, Board member David Norman, Board Chair Diane Breeding, board attorney Terry Geoghegan, Brown, and board member Diane Berry. Click photo to enlarge.
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Saturday, July 22, 2017, 11:38 a.m. — The Nelson County Board of Education named Tom Brown to serve as interim superintendent at a special-called meeting Saturday morning.
Brown’s first day on the job is Tuesday, Aug. 1st.
Interim Superintendent Tom Brown lays out his short-term plans following his appointment Saturday morning at a special-called meeting of the board of education. Click to enlarge.
Brown is no stranger to the Nelson County Schools. Forty-three years ago, he moved to Bardstown to begin his teaching career here. He served as a teacher, guidance counselor and assistant principal at Nelson County High School. He later served as principal of Boyle County High School, and also athletic director at Bethlehem High School.
Brown is also no stranger to serving in interim leadership positions. According to a district press release, he has served in interim principal or central office positions in 10 Kentucky school districts.
Brown told WBRT that he was honored to be selected to serve, and was prepared to hit the ground running.
“First, I want to meet with the key people in the district and learn where we are and what needs to be done, and make sure school gets started in the best possible way,” he said.
Once schools are in session, he said he will turn his attention to other issues in the district and maintaining the district’s progress moving forward on improving the quality of education.
On behalf of the board, Chairwoman Diane Breeding expressed the board’s pleasure to have Brown on board.
“We feel confident that he has the skill set and experience to meet and exceed our expectations,” she said.
Brown told the audience that included family members, district staff, and critics of outgoing Superintendent Anthony Orr, that 43 years ago, he began his teaching career when he moved to Bardstown to teach in the county school system.
“I’m honored, humbled and excited to be here,” he said following the vote appointing his interim superintendent.
“This isn’t just a job,” he said of his new position. “This is important to me. This is where I met my wife, and its where my kids were born. This is a kind of culmination of 43 years of being in education.”
“I really feel I can bring some stability and growth to the district,” he said. “We have many, many good things we need to continue to move forward.”
“The priorities that I set will be that the students come first,” he said. “I promise you over the next months I will give you everything I have to make sure we accomplish these tasks.”
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