Brian Alexander Returns To ECHS As Principal

Waddell: "Brian Alexander IS Edmonson County High School"

Long time Edmonson County resident, teacher, and administrator Brian Alexander was named Principal at ECHS today.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:​
Brian Alexander has been named the new principal at Edmonson County high school in an announcement made today by Patrick Waddell, superintendent of Edmonson County Schools. Waddell said there were eight applicants for the open position, three of which were granted interviews. Two of those were applicants within the district, with one being from another county.

Waddell said that after the interviews and being in closed session with the site-based decision-making council today, Alexander was the best choice for the position.

"We had probably two hours of discussion after the interviews about who we felt would be best and the individual that was named was Brian Alexander," said Waddell. "Brian Alexander IS Edmonson County High School, so-to-speak," he added with a smile.

Alexander is no stranger to Edmonson County schools. A 1988 graduate of ECHS, and a lifelong Edmonson county resident, Alexander began his education career in 1995 at Warren Central high school.

He was first hired at Edmonson County high school in 1996 as a teacher and later became part of the administration. In 2003 he then went to Caneyville Elementary, then returned to ECHS as principal in 2005, where he stayed until 2014 when he moved to the district office as Director of Pupil Personnel. 

Superintendent of Edmonson Schools Patrick Waddell, discusses the decision to hire Brian Alexander as ECHS Principal.

Alexander discussed the opportunity to return to ECHS as principal.

"When I left before, I almost talked myself out of it. I came within an inch of never leaving," he said. "But it was the right thing to do at the time. The school needed something fresh and I needed the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective. I've had five years to recharge my batteries and I think I'll be able to have a much different perspective. I feel like I can do a better job than when I first stepped in here fourteen years ago. I feel like I can learn from the past and do a good job."

Alexander said his experience at the board office over the last 5 years has been invaluable and will help him in the daily grind of the role of a high school principal. 

"The experiences I've had working with other administrators, our superintendent, and other district employees, and all the conversations I've had with Mr. Hodges, and seeing what he's faced, it's been very valuable experience that will help me back into this role."

Waddell said it's not everyday that a person had the opportunity to be principal, move to another role, then return to principal.

"Brian has been able to get a holistic view of the district, the school, and I feel that the high school is getting a well-rounded, community respected principal," he said. "Brian had great student relationships when he was here before and I expect those to continue when he steps back in. I'm excited, the SBDM staff is excited, I think the school staff is excited, and I believe the community will be excited to have Brian back as principal at Edmonson County High School."

When asked what was his general outlook on being named principal again, Alexander said "This place has been in very good hands with Mr. Hodges and I want to keep moving forward, trying to make the school be even better than it is right now."