Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The new elementary school that will soon be under construction on Keithshire Way now has a principal: Meribeth Gaines.

Gaines, who is in her 10th year as an administrator at Northern Elementary School, including the past two as principal, will assume her new position July 1.

She has 19 years of experience in education, having been a classroom teacher, gifted education resource teacher, curriculum resource specialist, professional staff assistant and principal.  She began her teaching career in the Franklin County Public Schools before coming to the Fayette County Public Schools in 2001.

“I am excited about the wonderful opportunity and exciting challenge of opening a new school,” Gaines said. “I am eager to begin building relationships with parents, students and staff members of the future Keithshire family.”

But, she quickly added, she will remain committed to the students, staff and families at Northern Elementary School for the rest of this school year.

“Northern has been a wonderful home for me for the past 10 years,” Gaines said. “The students are well on their way to great things. I look forward to finishing the year here and watching them continue to soar.”

Construction will begin on the new school this May, with a targeted opening date in August 2011. The district is in the process of determining school attendance boundary lines for the new school.

Gaines’ selection now will give her time to facilitate the planning, communication, construction, registration, staffing and purchasing necessary to ensure a successful opening. It also gives Northern the advance lead time needed to find a replacement for Gaines.

Gaines, 42, enjoys golf, UK basketball and traveling. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education and a gifted education endorsement from Georgetown College. She completed the principal certification program at the University of Kentucky and is enrolled in the educational leadership doctoral program at Eastern Kentucky University.

Superintendent Stu Silberman had high praise for her.

“Meribeth has done a great job at Northern Elementary,” he said. “Her outstanding leadership skills will be a true asset to the new school on Keithshire. We know she will do a great job.”

Elementary School Director Loraye Jones agreed.

“Meribeth Gaines is an excellent choice for this position,” Jones said.  “She is a leader that has the right combination of high energy and passion, a proven track record of outstanding school leadership, and remarkable communication skills that not only keep people informed, but also seem to motivate everyone around her to give their best – truly a winning combination.”