A high school and a middle school in Lexington have new principals. See who was hired.

Lexington’s Bryan Station High School and Morton Middle School have new principals, Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Manny Caulk announced Wednesday night.

Eric Hale, the new principal at Bryan Station High School, replaces James McMillin, who is now the district director of high schools.

Twanjua Jones, the new principal of Morton Middle School, replaces Ronda Runyon, who retired. Jones was most recently the principal of Yates Elementary School.

“People are passionate about wanting to be leaders in Fayette County Public Schools at this time, which is a reflection of the incredible work happening both in our schools and at the district level,” Caulk said. “Although we have not been able to talk in person since their selection, I had an opportunity to meet virtually with Eric and by phone with Twanjua to hear each of their visions for their new roles. They both feel a calling to serve all students at high levels and work with a sense of urgency to meet the moral imperatives facing our district.”

Hale has 15 years of experience in education, including Fairview Independent Schools in Kentucky, where he most recently held the post of Achievement Gap Director of Student Services. He started his career as a fifth grade teacher at Fairview Elementary School, where he later became principal, and moved from that role to assistant principal and then principal of Fairview High School, a position he held for six years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in school leadership, and an education specialist’s degree and certification as a superintendent and director of pupil personnel, all from Morehead State University.

Jones has 24 years of experience in education and began her career as a high school math teacher in North Carolina, where she also held posts as a principal intern, assistant principal and principal.

Jones moved to Kentucky in 2007, and served for seven years as the associate principal at Morton Middle School before joining the district leadership team as a minority administrative intern. In 2014 she was named principal of Yates Elementary School and she has served in that role since. She earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a master’s degree in school administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Rank I in educational leadership from the University of Kentucky, where she is also pursuing her doctoral degree.

Hale and Jones will assume their duties on July 1.

This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 12:52 PM.