Henderson County Schools has hired current Henderson County High School principal Amber Thomas to be the school district’s next human resources director.
On Wednesday, HCS made a release that Thomas, who has been at the helm of HCHS for three years, would take over the position starting on July 1. She will continue at the high school till the end of the year and wrap up end-of-the-year business after school’s end.
The release praised Thomas’ accomplishments. She began her career at Henderson County High School in 2004 as a classroom teacher. Over the years, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Red Unit Guidance Counselor, Academic Dean, Early College Coordinator, Guidance Department Coordinator, Building Assessment Coordinator, Dual Credit Coordinator, KHEAA District Coordinator, and Assistant Principal. Thomas has served as principal of Henderson County High School since July 2023, said the release.
“I’m so excited for Mrs. Thomas,” HCS Superintendent Dr. Bob Lawson told the Hendersonian. “She’s earned this.”
Thomas earned her Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing and Master of Arts in Secondary School Counseling from Murray State University. She also holds her Rank I in School Counseling, DPP Certification, and Principal Certification from Western Kentucky University, according to the release.
“Henderson County High School has a long tradition of pursuing excellence, and I have been honored to serve as principal alongside an incredible team of educators and students,” Thomas said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to continuing to support our district in a new role focused on strengthening our staff and school community.”
“She has excelled as a leader and truly taken ownership of her work,” Lawson said in the release. “We are looking forward to her bringing her strong leadership skill set to the Board of Education office as our new Director of Human Resources.”
Thomas’ move comes after HCS had hired East Heights principal Erika Odom to take the position. On March 26, HCS made a release that Odom was taking the position.
Since that time, Lawson said Odom decided to stay at East Heights.
“She loves her school,” Lawson said, adding she has chosen to stay to work on some issues at the school.
Now with a job to fill at the high school, Lawson said HCS administrators and the school’s site-based decision-making council will soon begin the work to hire the next HCHS principal.
For more information, please contact Megan Mortis, Director of Public Information, at 270-831-5000 or email megan.mortis@henderson.kyschools.us.
