‘Everything rises and falls on leadership’: 6 new school leaders named in Fayette County

Six new local school leaders were announced Thursday for the 2024-25 academic year, Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said.

The six include:

▪ Audrey Grevious Center and Family Care Center Program Director Felicia Lindsay

▪ Booker T. Washington Elementary School Principal Matthew Griffin

▪ Russell Cave Elementary School Principal Alexander Butler

▪ Sandersville Elementary School Principal Matt Noblin

▪ Squires Elementary School Principal Jill Angelucci

▪ Tates Creek Middle School Principal Kelly Sirginnis

“We have attracted some of the most talented applicants from across our state and nation,” Liggins said. “We know that everything rises and falls on leadership, and we are excited to see the impact that each of these new leaders will have.”

Felicia Lindsay

With 25 years of experience working with some of Fayette County’s most vulnerable students and families, Lindsay has been named Program Director for Audrey Grevious and Family Care centers.

This is a new position that was included in the board’s tentative budget investment as part of a partnership with Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government to expand services to students at these locations, district officials said.

Since 2018, Lindsay has served as assistant principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy. She started in the school district in 1999 as a para-educator working with students receiving special education services at Southern Elementary School.

She later became the Family Resource Center Coordinator, then taught special education at Southern. Her experience includes working as a behavior interventionist and as a PASS (Positive Approach to Student Support) coach at Tates Creek Middle School, where she transitioned into administration as an assistant principal.

“Felicia’s passion is working with students and families who need additional support,” Liggins said.

“She is also the recipient of a Bronze Award from the Kentucky Center for Instructional Discipline. Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Morehead State University, a master’s degree in special education from Georgetown College, and a second master’s in educational leadership and principal certification from Eastern Kentucky University.”

Matthew Griffin

Matthew Griffin has been selected as the next principal of Booker T. Washington Elementary School. He has served as the principal at Timbers Elementary in Humble Independent School District in Texas since 2022.

Griffin replaces Donte Tichenor who was named principal of Fayette schools’ Success Academy.

Griffin began his career in education with a commitment to fostering positive school cultures and high-quality instruction across various school levels. He served as an assistant principal within Humble Independent School District.

”Matthew’s innovative leadership and his focus on creating an engaging and supportive environment for both students and staff are impressive,” Liggins said.

Griffin co-founded the Aspiring Administrators Network, providing district-level professional learning for future school leaders. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Fairmont State University in West Virginia, a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Ph.D of education in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University in Texas.

Alexander Butler

Alexander Butler will be the next principal of Russell Cave Elementary. With more than 12 years of experience as an educator and leader, Butler has served as assistant principal at William Wells Brown Elementary since 2020.

Butler replaces Amber Catron who has accepted a leadership position in another school district.

Butler began his career in 2012, joining the school district as a middle school math teacher at Bryan Station Middle and later Edythe J. Hayes Middle. He also taught math at T.T. Knight Middle School in Jefferson County, where he was appointed athletics director.

“Alexander’s dedication to creating a collaborative and inclusive school environment has been outstanding,” Liggins said.

Butler holds a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education from Central State University in Ohio, a master’s degree in elementary mathematics from Western Governors University in Utah, and principal licensure from Western Kentucky University.

Matt Noblin

The new principal at Sandersville Elementary School is the current assistant principal Matt Noblin, who has been in that role since 2017.

Noblin replaces Matthew Marsh, who was named Chief Elementary School Leadership Officer.

Noblin has been a part of the Sandersville school community since before the school was under construction. He started his teaching career in 2006 as a fifth-grade teacher at what was then called Linlee Elementary. When the building – renamed Sandersville Elementary – opened in August 2008, Noblin was part of the inaugural staff.

In 2015, Noblin became the school’s STEM Lab teacher, before moving into administration two years later.

“Serving as the assistant principal for seven years, Matt has learned what it takes to create an environment where all students can learn at high levels and have opportunities to find their passion through extracurricular activities,” LIggins said.

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Noblin holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UK, a master’s in school counseling and his Rank I from Eastern Kentucky University, and his principal certification and education specialist’s degree in instructional leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Jill Angelucci

Jill Angelucci has been selected as the next principal of Squires Elementary School. She has 19 years of teaching and leadership experience.

Jill Angelucci replaces Sabrina Adkins, who is retiring, district officials said.

Angelucci has been an assistant principal at Tates Creek Middle School for the past two years. She began her educational career teaching high school math in Illinois for seven years, before relocating to Lexington in 2012.

She taught three years at Lexington Catholic High School and two years at Beaumont Middle School before moving into administration as a curriculum coach at George Rogers Clark High School.

“Jill leads with integrity, vision and compassion,” Liggins said.

Angelucci earned a bachelor’s in mathematics education from Indiana University, a master’s degree in school leadership and principal certification from Concordia University, and a Rank I with supervisor of instruction and superintendent certification from Asbury University.

Kelly Sirginnis

Kelly Sirginnis will be the next principal of Tates Creek Middle School. With more than 20 years of experience in education and school leadership, Sirginnis has served as director of secondary schools for Jessamine County Schools since 2022.

Sirginnis replaces Eric Thornsbury who was named principal at Winburn Middle School.

Sirginnis previously served 10 years as associate principal at Tates Creek Middle, where she received a commendation from the International Baccalaureate Organization for her work leading the IB Middle Years Programme and was awarded Educator of the Year in 2017 by the Kentucky PTA.

“Kelly’s strong background in educational leadership and her focus on collaboration to increase student outcomes are impressive,” Liggins said.

Sirginnis has served in various roles with Fayette County Public Schools since 2001, including substitute teacher, gifted and talented coordinator, and social studies teacher at Winburn and Tates Creek Middle schools. She also has experience working with students at Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf.

Sirginnis holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting from Elon College in North Carolina and a master’s in teaching and Rank I in school leadership and gifted education from Eastern Kentucky University.