Hopkins County Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Damon Fleming as superintendent of Hopkins County Schools, effective July 1.
Dr. Fleming has served as HCS assistant superintendent since 2021. During his time in the district, he has played a key role in district operations and student support. His leadership has supported the district through meaningful transitions, with a consistent focus on student achievement, school safety, and staff development.
“I’m honored to serve as the next superintendent of Hopkins County Schools,” he said. “This community values its schools, and I’m proud to work with educators and families who are dedicated to doing what’s best for students. Together, we will continue building a safe, supportive, and academically strong district.”
Fleming holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from University of the Cumberlands, with a focus on school District Leadership. He also earned a Specialist in Education degree and a Master of Arts in Education in Administration from Murray State University, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching Exceptional Children–Learning and Behavior Disorders from Western Kentucky University. His academic foundation began with a Bachelor of Science from MSU.
During his career, he has served as a teacher, school principal, and director of student services in Muhlenberg and Daviess counties. He worked in law enforcement before entering education. He brings more than a decade of central office experience to his new role.
His professional certifications include superintendent, principal, director of special education, director of pupil personnel and supervisor of instruction. He also has a school safety endorsement. Fleming regularly collaborates with other professionals by giving presentations at state and national education conferences. Topics have included trauma-informed care, threat assessment, school culture, and school discipline.
Hopkins County Board of Education expressed its full confidence in Dr. Fleming’s leadership and looks forward to the district's continued success under his direction.
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We celebrated Superintendent Amy Smith’s many contributions to Hopkins County Schools during a retirement reception on May 12. Congratulations to Mrs. Smith on her upcoming retirement! |
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We honored and celebrated Hopkins County Schools’ 2024-2025 retirees on May 19. Thanks to each of them for their hard work and dedication!!
Retirees include the following: Lisa Allen, teacher, West Hopkins; Kim Banks, speech language pathologist, James Madison Middle; Deanna Brown, teacher, WHS; Jo Carroll, CIA, Pride Elementary; Kathy Carver, district GT coordinator, Central Office; Debra Clark, cook/baker, Southside Elementary; Jill Dunbar, special education teacher, Madisonville North Hopkins High; Crystal Farmer, secretary, Hopkins County Career and Technology Center; John Grace, teacher, Hopkins County Central High; Jana Hodge, secretary, South Hopkins Middle; Letitia Holloman, instructional leader, Hanson Elementary; Chantay Inglis, teacher, SHMS; Patsy Jennings, cook/baker, WHS; Margie McLemore, food service manager, SHMS; Dawn Moore, teacher, HES; Brenda Ramsey, CIA, HES; Sherri Riggs, teacher, West Broadway Elementary; Erika Russell, teacher, JMMS; Steven Russell, computer tech, CO; Amy Smith, superintendent, CO; Anita Thorpe, LBD teacher, Grapevine Elementary; Pam Todd, principal, HCCTC; Wendy Watts, school psychologist, Browning Springs Middle; Margaret Woodruff, CIA, WBES; Patricia Wyatt, teacher, GES.
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The Hopkins County Board of Education is seeking applications for appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board representing Division #1. John Osborne has submitted his resignation from the Division #1 seat, effective June 30.
This appointment will be effective until the November 2026 regular election.
Responsibilities include: setting policy to govern the District; hiring/evaluating the Superintendent; and levying taxes and adopting the District budget. Board members must:
- Be at least 24 years old and a Kentucky citizen for the last three years;
- Be a registered voter in the particular District of the vacancy;
- Have completed the 12th grade or have a GED certificate;
- Meet all other legal qualifications (KRS 160.180); and
- Complete required annual in-service training.
Applications are available at Hopkins County Board of Education Central Office, 320 S. Seminary, Madisonville, KY, or online on the district website, www.hopkins.kyschools.us, under the Latest News section. Mail applications to Superintendent Amy Smith, ATTN: Board Vacancy, Hopkins County Schools, 320 S. Seminary St., Madisonville, KY 42431. Applications are due by noon on June 9, 2025. |
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Classes for the 2025-2026 school year will start on Wednesday, August 13. Get a head start by completing Online Registration now. |
HCS students “Reached for the Stars” during the Future Ready Showcase held April 29 at Hopkins County Central High School. Each of our schools selected a student to represent the six characteristics of successful graduates: Contributing Citizen, Responsible and Accountable, Connecting and Collaborating, Effective Communicator, Innovator, and Lifelong Learner. This was the culmination of this year’s focus on HC Future Ready.
The students set up displays and confidently explained their learning journey in the area that they were chosen to represent. Thanks to all of the students, staff, and everyone who attended! It was a great event!
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Seniors at both Hopkins County Central and Madisonville North Hopkins enjoyed the recent “Taste of Success” meals provided by Food Services staff! The meal included grilled steak and chicken purchased through the Local Food for Schools Grant. Cafe staff at each feeder school also made special baked goods for their former kids as part of the meal. What a special send-off! |
Jennifer Edwards, a teacher at South Hopkins Middle School, was honored with the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on May 19. She also serves as the school’s Robotics Club sponsor. She successfully wrote a grant proposal which resulted in $12,000 to purchase supplies for the club. The Robotics Club, which meets monthly, recently competed at the STLP competition in Lexington. An SHMS team won the state championship in the middle school drone competition and also won 3 out of 5 rounds in the sumo bot competition. SHMS students are being challenged and inspired by the robotics program that Ms. Edwards created. They are becoming critical thinkers as well as developing schools that help them become lifelong learners. SHMS is very fortunate to have Ms. Edwards leading their students into this exciting career field!
In conjunction with Edwards’ honor, the SHMS Drone Challenge team was recognized by the Board of Education on Monday for winning the STLP State Championship! Team members are Carter Miles, Weston Smith, Jimmy Queen, and Brantley Groves.
Edwards said, “My ‘why’ is to make a lasting impact on the lives of young learners. Starting the Robotics Club has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my teaching career. I have been able to ignite a passion into some of the kids that will turn into a future career.”
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Valerie Dunlap, a special education teacher at Hopkins County Central, received the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on May 5. She goes to great lengths to be there for her students. A parent of a senior with special needs was nervous about her daughter going on the senior trip. Ms. Dunlap stepped up and offered to go on the trip, supporting student needs while offering them as much independence as possible. She put student needs ahead of her own wants by offering to help chaperone this trip. HCS staff members show their “whys” every day. However, this parent said, this is even more special when the hands and feet of those visions and missions personally impact your own child!
Dunlap explained her “why” by saying, “Every day, I arrive early to prepare for my students' educational needs and hope that I can make a difference in their lives. I begin the journey with my students at Freshman orientation. Over the next few years, I attend ballgames, chaperone field trips, attend prom to see them dressed up, attend our annual field day to work beside them as we host our future STORM students, and most of all establish a great rapport with each of them. As a Senior sponsor, I attend the Senior trip, walk with them for graduation, and stay up all night with them at Project Grad. You ask me my why? That's easy. MY STUDENTS!”
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Several HCS students took part in the recent Kentucky Association of School Business Officials conference in Louisville.
Hopkins County Central JROTC members Grace Harris, Jaxon Ratliff, Kaydence Stafford, and William Yandall gave the Presentation of Colors. Madisonville North Hopkins HS student Jacob Payne performed the National Anthem.
MNHHS band members also gave a performance.
“Our kids did an amazing job,” said HCS Chief Financial Officer Eydie Tate, president of the KASBO Board of Directors for 2024-2025. “I am still getting compliments from other districts on their performances and behavior.”
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We were excited to celebrate HCS seniors who will be entering the workforce after graduation during a special event on May 1! The district’s 3rd annual Career Signing Day recognized 45 of our high school seniors. They signed letters of intent with the businesses/organizations that they will be working with after graduation. The event at Mahr Park Arboretum was presented with support from Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corp. Congratulations to all!
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HCS students recently displayed their artistic talents in a contest to design artwork discouraging tobacco use and vaping. Hopkins County Health Department sponsored the contest, with prizes provided by Hopkins County ASAP.
The overall winner was Aliyah Warren. Her artwork will be featured on a billboard. Makenzie Patterson placed 2nd at the high school level, and Teighan Martinez received 3rd place. All are students at Hopkins County Central High School.
At the middle school level, Ally Kong won 1st place, with Deacon Baldwin in 2nd, and Bryleigh Davis in 3rd place. All are students at James Madison Middle School.
Among elementary students, Sadie Hofmann of Jesse Stuart won 1st place. Ethan Stevenson of Pride Elementary placed 2nd with Ava Gipson, also of Pride, receiving 3rd place. The overall winner received a prize of $125. The prize was $75 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd.
Congratulations to these creative students!
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Each of our schools now has a set of signs to use in Mental Health Awareness walks! The signs detail activities for the seven stops along the walk, such as stretching, breathing exercise, meditation, and more.
Browning Springs Middle School students enjoyed taking part in the kick-off for the project recently at Unity Park. For the kickoff, PE teacher Danny Shaw led a lesson for 7th graders using the guided walk.
This was made possible through a collaboration between HCS Community Schools and the Woman’s Club of Madisonville. The guided stations at Unity Park will be up during the month of May. This initiative comes at a crucial time in the school year, when students face the pressures of state testing, final exams, and promotion. We hope this partnership will provide meaningful support for students and educators.
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Hopkins County Schools’ 2025 PressPoint Journal of Creativity includes 87 artworks and writing pieces created by 58 students. A total of 177 pieces were submitted for consideration.
An artwork by Katelyn Creekmur, an 8th grader at South Hopkins Middle School, was selected for the front cover. Back cover honors go to Aliyah Strahl, junior at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. PressPoint is organized by Hopkins County Schools District Services for Gifted and Talented.
The “Best In” Awards go to the following:
• Best in Color Cover Art: Katelyn Creekmur, Grade 8, SHMS;
• Best in Black and White Art: Emma Duncan, Grade 11, MNHHS;
• Best in Poetry: John Tucker, Grade 9, MNHHS;
• Best in Song Lyrics: Mattie Beck, Grade 6, West Hopkins ;
• Best in Short Stories: Daxton Cotton, Grade 7, James Madison Middle;
• Best in Black and White Photography: Westyn Miles, Grade 10, MNHHS.
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The girls and boys tennis teams from Madisonville North Hopkins both won the Region Championship! They advanced to state competition. The Hopkins County Central girls tennis team finished as the runner-up in the 2nd Region tournament.
In doubles and singles play, MNHHS tennis team members captured three Regional Championships!
Noah Mays and Justin Rodgers won the title in boys doubles, defeating another MNHHS pair, Izaac Bridgman and Jaden Heath. In the girls doubles region title match, Kiley Demoss and Caroline Lovvorn won the championship in a match against MNHHS teammates Albany Ray and Emma Tagg.
Ethan Larkins won the Region Championship in boys singles. Macey Browning is the regional runner-up in girls singles.
All semifinalists advanced to the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament. This includes two girls doubles teams from HCCHS: Elissa Adams and Callie Mackey, and Addison Rickard and Lilly Armour
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The Middle School Winter Sports Athletes of the Year were honored at the Board of Education meeting on May 5. Those recognized include the following:
• Athletes of the Year – Neilan Bruce and Bryley Wadlington
• Citizenship Athletes of the Year – Brantley Groves and Bailey Ruby
• Heart of the Team Athletes of the Year - Niyla Liles and Brantley Hight
• Sportsmanship Athletes of the Year - Weston Smith and LaRiah Washington
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The High School Winter Sports Athletes of the Year were honored at the Board of Education meeting on May 5. Those recognized include the following:
• Athletes of the Year – Alex Ray and Adison Melton
• Citizenship Athletes of the Year – Ryan Bryant and Jailahni Swaney
• Heart of the Team Athletes of the Year - Jak Mitchell and Addison Burns
• Sportsmanship Athletes of the Year - Ayden Thurby and Emma Tagg
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320 S. Seminary St.
Madisonville, KY 42431
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