Associate Principal Ronda Runyon to asssume new role on July 1

Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Fayette County Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman is happy to announce the appointment of a new principal for Morton Middle School. Ronda Runyon, who has been the associate principal at Morton for two years, will assume her new post on July 1.

Runyon has 22 years of experience in education. She started her career in Nashville, Tennessee, where she taught special education for six years. She moved to Lexington in 1991, and after a year as a substitute, accepted a position as an adaptive physical education teacher serving students in several schools. In 2000, she joined the staff at Morton Middle School as a physical education and health teacher until she was promoted to associate principal.

“Morton is just a special place,” she said. “There’s a wealth of tradition and excellence here and I want to continue that. I believe I have the passion to keep this ship sailing and move us to the next level.” 

Runyon will replace Principal Jock Gum, who is retiring after 27 years in education and seven years as principal at Morton. Runyon will assume her duties July 1, but Gum will stay at the school in a transitional capacity until his official retirement at the end of August. Runyon said she’s glad to know he’ll still be around.

“It’s been exciting for the past two years working with Mr. Gum,” she said. “He’s been a wonderful mentor and we’re very fortunate that he is going to stay an extra couple months with us to help with the transition into next school year.” 

She said one of the first tasks ahead of her is planning professional development activities for teachers during the summer.

“We are going to really dig in to the content that the state requires us to be teaching and determine the best ways to present those concepts to our kids at Morton next year,” she said.

“I look forward to working with Ms. Runyon and taking Morton beyond proficiency to the highest levels of student achievement,” said Middle School Director Michael Ernst. “She is a focused, dedicated and visionary educational leader who has kids’ best interests as her number one priority.” 

“Ronda has been the associate at Morton Middle School and has done a great job,” said Fayette County Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman. “I think the school based council made a great recommendation and we’re excited that Morton will continue to stay on the path toward excellence.”

Runyon, 45, is originally from Ashland, Kentucky. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education at Asbury College, her master’s degree in administration and supervision at Middle Tennessee State University and her Rank 1 in administration from Eastern Kentucky University. She enjoys playing golf and attending church at Christ United Methodist Church.