Ben Grey Named Principal at Edmonson County Middle School for 24-25 School Year

Brandon Prunty Announces Move to Edmonson County Board Office

Ben Grey was announced as new principal of Edmonson County Middle School for the 2024-25 school year.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County Middle School will see a new principal after this school year, as 10-year veteran Brandon Prunty will be moving to the Edmonson County Board central office in a new role.

Today, Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools Brian Alexander made the announcement in the ECMS library, that the position will be filled by Mr. Ben Grey, who is currently an instructor at Edmonson County High School.

"He's been respected and admired at every position he's held, in every district he's been in, both as a teacher and a coach," Mr. Alexander said to ECMS staff members. "He's very intelligent and thinks before he acts and handles the challenges of being an administrator with grace and class; I've witnessed this firsthand."

Supt. of EC Schools Brian Alexander announces Ben Grey as the next ECMS principal.

Mr. Grey then addressed those in attendance as he was announced as the new principal.

"I want to thank Mr. Alexander for this opportunity," he said. "I want to thank the school Site-Based Committee for having faith to choose me for this position. I'm very excited and a little nervous, but I think that's a good thing. I'm excited to learn from you all, the staff, and excited to build our relationships. I've taught at the elementary level, obviously at the high school level, but never had the chance to try the middle school, so I'm very excited for this opportunity, and hopefully, we'll be a great team, and that's what I'm most excited about."

Grey, and ECHS graduate, started his teaching career in 2013, serving as the itinerant PE teacher at both North Butler and Morgantown Elementary Schools. He said there, he quickly learned from two different principals and staffs. After five years in that role he began teaching health, P.E., and weightlifting at ECHS, where he then served as Dean of Students and ALC director.

In addition, he also served as an academic team coach, both assistant and head coach for varsity baseball, head tennis coach, and assistant basketball and football coach.

L-R: Outgoing ECMS Principal Brandon Prunty, newly-named Principal Ben Grey, and Supt. of Schools Brian Alexander.

Brandon Prunty, who has served as ECMS principal since 2014, said he has greatly enjoyed his time in that role, where he said he was able to see students achieve great things academically, athletically, and socially. 

"The teachers and staff here have been great mentors to students in all those areas," he said. "ECMS is such an amazing school.  I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the ECMS family for so long.  Mr. Grey is a great young man who will work hard to continue the longstanding traditions of ECMS.  I wish him the best of luck as he leads this school into the future."

Mr. Prunty will take over the role of Supervisor of State and Federal Programs for Edmonson County Schools, which will be vacant after the retirement of Mr. Jamie Carnes, a longtime Edmonson County school and district administrator, at the end of this school year.

Mr. Prunty said he is looking forward to his new position.

"Those programs offer various opportunities for not only students in Edmonson County, but also residents.  I look forward to being involved in those and helping students and families district-wide."

Mr. Alexander praised Prunty for his accomplishments as principal over the last decade. Alexander then encouraged ECMS staff to meet with Mr. Grey to begin building their team relationships as soon as possible, however, he also asked them to give Grey a pass if he wasn't available tomorrow, since he and his wife are expecting a baby...tomorrow.

"He's going to have his hands full for the next few days," Alexander said as he encouraged those attendance to remember the Greys in thoughts and prayers.

Alexander also commended the ECMS staff and the Site-Based Decision Making Council for their professionalism and cooperation during the preparation for the change.

Ben Grey is the son of local retired educators Greg and Robin Grey. He is married to his wife, Kristin, and they have two children, soon to be three.