Scott County Schools Principals are featured in a two part series in "Spotlight on the Schools". Part one of the series was featured in the October 31, 2024, E-Edition of The Independent Herald on pages 23 & 23 .
Fairview Elementary School
Mr. Scott Cash has been the principal of Fairview Elementary School for the past eight years of his twenty-three-year career as an educator, and all of those years have been spent at FES. His tenure as principal has been marked by impactful changes that have significantly benefited the school as a whole. Acquiring a brand-new gym is probably one of Mr. Cash’s most notable achievements thus far; however, those who truly know him would undoubtedly say that his first priority is empowering his staff and his students to reach their full potential, and as a result, the school has experienced substantial academic growth over the past eight years. This academic success has been demonstrated by Fairview’s designation as a Tennessee Reward School for three years.
Mr. Cash is originally from Somerset, KY, but has been called Scott County home for over twenty years. He is married to Shelly, and together, they have five sons and lots of French bulldogs.
Huntsville Elementary School
Huntsville Elementary School principal, Lisa Sexton, has over 33 years of experience in Scott County Schools, including the majority of her time as a classroom teacher, as well as serving as an assistant principal and instructional coach. Passionate about early childhood education, Sexton’s goal is to provide students with positive learning experiences in a nurturing environment. "With your help and support, together we can grow our students and help them reach their full potential," she says. Dedicated to educating the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—Sexton emphasizes that Huntsville Elementary is a family. She welcomes everyone to an exciting school year, reminding them, "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere!"
Huntsville Middle School
Mrs. Rachel Lay fosters a collaborative culture at Huntsville Middle School by empowering teachers, staff, and students to work together toward shared goals. She believes that strong schools are built on teamwork, trust, and open communication. Mrs. Lay encourages teachers to engage in professional learning communities (PLCs), where they can collaborate, share best practices, analyze student data, and develop strategies to improve instruction. By creating an environment where educators feel valued and supported, she promotes innovation and continuous professional growth. Her leadership style emphasizes listening, mutual respect, and shared decision-making, ensuring that all voices are heard in the pursuit of school-wide improvement.
In addition to building a collaborative atmosphere, Mrs. Lay maintains a steadfast focus on instructional excellence. Drawing from her background as a TCAP Master Teacher, Literacy Coach, and District RTI Coordinator, she works closely with teachers to ensure that instructional practices are aligned with state standards and meet the diverse needs of students. Mrs. Lay emphasizes the importance of data-driven instruction, helping teachers use assessment data to tailor lessons and interventions for individual learners. She also supports ongoing professional development, providing teachers with the tools and training needed to refine their skills and implement innovative teaching methods.
Her commitment to instructional excellence is rooted in the belief that every student deserves access to high-quality education. Mrs. Lay’s ability to foster collaboration and her strategic focus on teaching and learning create a positive school culture where educators thrive, and students are empowered to achieve academic success and personal growth.
Scott High School
Scott High School is honored to recognize Principal Jeremy Hamby for his dedication and unwavering commitment to our school and community. With a career spanning 24 years at Scott High, Mr. Hamby has become a pillar of support, encouragement, and leadership. Starting his administration journey as an assistant principal for seven years and now in his third year as principal, Mr. Hamby has continually fostered an environment that champions students' success and personal growth.
Mr. Hamby is known for his outgoing personality and for going above and beyond for students to ensure each student has the guidance and encouragement they need to pursue their goals after high school. Whether it's in the classroom, on the field, or through a diverse range of extracurricular activities, he has shown an incredible commitment to helping students reach their fullest potential. His leadership and servant's mindset are explicitly shown every day through the work he puts into providing our students with the best culture possible.
Scott High would like to thank Mr. Hamby for his enduring dedication to his school and the hard work he puts forth every day.