Lexington high school gets the ‘ideal candidate’ for a new principal
An associate principal at Lexington Traditional Magnet School has been hired as the next principal of Henry Clay High School, Fayette Public School district officials said Friday.
Antonio “Tony” Blackman replaces Corye Franklin, who has taken a job in Indiana after serving one year.
“With 27 years of experience as a dedicated teacher, administrator, coach, and mentor, Mr. Blackman has proven himself to be an excellent educator and leader,” Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said. “His commitment and approach to the whole student, as well as his ability to effectively engage and communicate with staff and families, make him the ideal candidate to lead (Henry Clay) into the future.”
He begins his new job July 1.
Blackman started his career in Fayette County schools as a teacher at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, teaching history and advanced citizenship. Before that, he also taught world history at Woodford County Middle School and American studies at East Jessamine High School.
From 2005-07, Blackman served as the freshman principal at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, where he implemented the Freshman Academy program. He then became the associate principal and served in this position for 15 years, where he was responsible for evaluating teachers, managing student discipline, and overseeing the school’s athletic programs.
In 2022, Blackman was recruited to Lexington Traditional Magnet School as an associate principal. His duties included schoolwide drills, family engagement initiatives and athletic program compliance, district officials said.
Blackman has a master’s degree in leadership administration from Eastern Kentucky University and a bachelor’s degree in social studies secondary education from Asbury College. He has professional Kentucky teacher certifications in political science, history, and sociology.
Fayette County Public Schools declined to release Blackman’s salary and told the Herald-Leader it should file an Open Records request, which gives the district a minimum of five days to comply.
