Goff joins Glasgow

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

March 01, 2008 04:46 pm

— Kathy Goff entered Glasgow High School’s gym Friday afternoon to a standing ovation only minutes after being named Glasgow’s new superintendent.
The announcement took place during a special-called school board meeting held in the high school gym.
Attending the meeting were faculty, central office personnel, students, bus drivers, food service personnel, parents, among others.
“It’s an incredible opportunity that I have,” she said, adding she was humbled and awed by those who turned out to welcome her. “I have studied this district and I am honored to join you. I’m looking forward to the partnership we will form and the friendships we will make.”
She told students she will be a visible superintendent.
“I look forward to joining you whether it’s on the field, on the court, in the classroom, in the community, or wherever it might be for you to continue to be stars and furthering your education,” she said.
After the meeting, students, parents, teachers and staff members had a lot to say about the new superintendent.
Pat Jordan, who works in the cafeteria at Glasgow Middle School, said Goff seems like “a nice lady.”
“It seems like she is qualified,” Jordan said.
J.R. Rich, a GHS senior, also said, “I think she’s going to do some great things for Glasgow. I think she will do a good job.”
Rich had one request of Goff — more snow days.
Jessie Fant, a junior, said she would like to see Goff bring back ACT prep classes at GHS.
“I heard there used to be a class like that a couple of years ago, and it would be nice to have something like that again,” she said.
DeAnndra Thompson, also a junior, thinks Goff will be a good superintendent.
“I just really, really hope we have a lot more opportunities to open up in our school system agriculture- wise. I know a lot of kids these days are into stuff like that,” she said.
Thompson is a member of the local FFA chapter, but she can’t take agriculture classes at GHS because they aren’t offered. She said she’s been pushing for the creation of an FFA chapter at GHS since she started high school.
Lora Garrett, a GHS math teacher, thought the special-called school board meeting at the high school was “quite a production.”
Garrett said Goff has an extensive background in education on all levels — elementary, middle and high school.
“I think that was what the committee might have been looking for — someone who is experienced in all areas, because that can only help our school system,” she said.
Garrett would like to see Goff get the district a new high school.
“I think our kids are a little down when they see the new elementaries and the middle school and compare our school to other schools,” she said. “They wonder why we don’t have that. We try to explain it to them, but it’s hard for kids to understand what all is involved with a decision like that.”
Katrina Franklin, a second grade teacher at South Green Elementary and who is a Glasgow parent, said she was impressed by Goff.
“I’ve heard a lot about her ... that’s she hardworking,” she said. “She is a builder. She’s going to build us up and that’s what I’m looking for.”
Rhonda Trautman, also a Glasgow parent and a member of the GHS site-based decision-making council, said the special-called school board meeting was a great way to get everyone excited about taking the next step.
She looks forward to working with Goff and hopes she will be able to help the school district continue it’s tradition.
“To me that is the crux of what Glasgow’s always been about — outstanding student performance and outstanding teachers and that’s what I want to see maintained,” she said.
“Glasgow Independent Schools is a great school district,” Goff said. “I feel honored to become a part of the team that is established here and continuing the traditions and the successes they have had.”
Prior to taking the superintendent’s job, Goff was a district achievement gap coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Education.
She was principal of Warren Central High School from 2002-07; principal of Richardsville Elementary in Warren County from 1995-2002; and assistant principal of Henry Moss Middle School also in Warren County from 1983-85.
From 1983-85 she taught elementary school in Butler County.
Her husband, Cecil, is employed by the Warren County Board of Education.
Goff has one son, Chase, who is a junior at Western Kentucky University. She also has three step-children, two of which are educators and one who is an attorney.