Quin Sutton, assistant superintendent of the Caldwell County School District, has resigned that position to accept a role as Lyon County school superintendent.
The Lyon County Board of Education interviewed Sutton Tuesday and voted unanimously Wednesday to hire him as the district’s new superintendent. He replaces Dr. Lee Gold, superintendent since July 2001, who announced his retirement in May.
For Sutton, a Lyon County native and a product of the county’s schools, the job was one he had been searching for for some time.
“Ever since I went into the administration field, that’s been my ultimate goal, to be a superintendent,” Sutton said Thursday.
“To get a chance to go back to your alma mater and give back … it’s an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
Sutton, 41, is a 1984 graduate of Lyon County High School.
“As a student, I had a tremendous experience, from the first through the 12th grade,” he said. “There were great teachers during that time who had a tremendous influence on me.
“I played sports there, was active in a lot of different clubs and organizations. It was just a good overall education — they prepared me for life.”
The new superintendent pointed out two individuals who had a special impact during his time as a student: agriculture instructor Ray Fowler, who encouraged Sutton to go to college and pursue a degree in ag education; and Tom Buchanan, who served as superintendent at the time.
“I always admired how he treated people — students as well as adults,” Sutton said.
Sutton took Fowler’s advice and obtained a bachelor’s degree in ag education from Murray State University. He would go on to receive a master’s in agriculture and Rank I certification in school administration, also from Murray State.
He returned to Lyon County to begin his career as an educator, teaching agriculture from 1988 to 1996.
He was then promoted to assistant principal and athletics director at Lyon County Junior/Senior High and served in that capacity until 1999.
He returned to teaching agriculture in the 1999-2000 school year before transferring to Caldwell County.
He served as principal of Caldwell County Middle School from 2000 to 2004.
In 2004-05, he served as director of federal and state programs in the district. He was promoted to assistant superintendent in 2005.
“I’ve had a tremendous experience in Caldwell County,” he said. “I love the staff, the students and the community. Everybody’s been supportive and encouraging.”
At the same time, he said, the Lyon County job was one he had been waiting for.
“I had a lot of encouragement from the community to apply and was given a lot of support from parents and community members as well,” he said.
His hire took effect Thursday, and for the next few days, Sutton will be busy in the transition, tying up loose ends in Caldwell County and familiarizing himself in his new district.
The staff already in place in Lyon County will be an asset in that transition, he said.
“Most of the staff are in place at the schools. There won’t have to be a lot of new hiring at this time,” he said. “I know most of the people, so that makes the transition easier in itself.”
Three of the district’s students in the 2008-09 school year will be Sutton’s own: Auburn, a senior, Warron, a freshman, and Taylyn, a first grader.
His wife, Amye, is employed as a speech aide in the district.
Sutton will spend his first year as superintendent attending several trainings organized through the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. The first, on school law, will be held later this month.
Sutton also gave credit to Superintendent Carrell Boyd.
“I’ve had a great mentor in Mr. Boyd since I’ve come down to the central office,” he said, praising Boyd’s character and high morals. “And he always puts the kids of the district first.”
Boyd said Sutton had been “such an integral part of our school system.”
“More than anything else, we’re excited for him, and we’re excited for the Lyon County School District,” he said Thursday.
“He’ll just be a county over and we just wish him the best. He’s one of those guys who’s just a good school man, a good family man and a good community man.”
Sutton said he looked forward to the chance to work with Boyd and local school officials in his new role.
“I think the relationship between the two districts will be stronger than it ever has been,” he said.
And with a future at the helm of the district ahead of him, Sutton said he hoped to stay in the position for the long term.
“This is probably the job that I’ve always wanted, and I don’t have any anticipation of moving on.”
Lyon County School Board Chair Ruthanne Williamson said the board was “thrilled to have such a qualified young man in this position.
“His application was by far the best we received. It is with extreme pride that we welcome one of our own.”
Members of the Lyon County Board of Education will host a reception to welcome Sutton from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20, in the District Conference Center.
