Rex Booth Named Principal At Edmonson County 5/6 Center

Former Principal Alan Talley Becomes Director of Pupil Personnel For EC Schools

Rex Booth stands with his wife Shannon, and daughter Lilah.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
The Edmonson County 5/6 Center now has a new principal, as announced today by Superintendent of Schools Patrick Waddell at the board of education office in Brownsville. 

Waddell announced that Rex Booth, a 2005 graduate of ECHS will assume his duties immediately.

"The site-based council met on Monday night and made a decision," said Waddell. "We had three, quality, certified applicants that we interviewed for the position, and we were pleased with that. We were happy to offer Rex the position and he seems very excited about the opportunity to come back home and we're excited as a school district to have him back."

Booth graduated from Lindsey Wilson College and has full resume of education experience; first as a math teacher at Glasgow High School. From there he held positions at Livingston Central, Trigg County, Hopkins County Central, and most recently as guidance counselor for Russellville Middle and High Schools.

Booth said the combination of both having the opportunity to serve as principal and doing it in his hometown was something that immediately interested him.

"Coming from here and still having family here, I was excited about the opportunity," he said.

Booth has served as a head basketball coach for the past 10 years, with the last three at Russellville. 

"Sports has been a passion of mine for a long time but priorities change," he added. "I've got a lot of experience building teams and that's exactly what I want to do at the 5/6 Center; lead and be part of a winning team."

Booth said he had no plans to start making big changes right of the bat, but he wanted to focus on building relationships first.

"I want to get to know the staff and the kids. School culture is important to me and I want to be part of the school culture. Sure, we'll look at making some changes, but we'll do that as a team."

Booth added that one of his focuses would be on technology and make it a priority that students have the proper access to technology in the classroom. 

He was joined today by his wife, Shannon, who is the secretary at Russellville Middle School and also serves as head volleyball coach for the Lady Panthers. Their daughter Lilah, age 6, also joined her parents at today's announcement.

Former Principal Alan Talley, who moved into the vacant Director of Pupil Personnel position For Edmonson Schools left by now ECHS Principal Brian Alexander, spoke to us about leaving the 5/6 Center.

"As I've started to prepare to transition to a new role, I've quickly realized leaving the 5/6 Center will be extremely difficult,' Talley said.  "My 6-plus years here have been some of the most rewarding of my professional career.  This school has always been full of wonderful adults who genuinely want to help children.  But without question, the toughest part is leaving a position that works so closely with the best kids in the world.  The good news is, I get to continue to work with the faculty, staff, and students in some capacity in my new role.  I look forward to my new challenge, as well as watching the 5/6 Center grow under new leadership."

Booth said he was headed over to the 5/6 Center to begin speaking with staff.

"I'm excited and am looking forward to coming together as a family, with a family culture," he added.