‘Steadfast’ and ‘passionate’ new principal named at Fayette County elementary school

The assistant principal of Fayette County Public Schools’ Wellington Elementary has been selected as the next principal for Brenda Cowan Elementary, officials said in a news release Monday.

Wes Downing has more than 15 years of experience in education with Fayette County Public Schools. He has been an assistant principal at Wellington Elementary since 2019.

He will begin his new role on July 1.

Downing replaces Josh Williams, who resigned last August to take a job in another state.

“Throughout Mr. Downing’s tenure, his passion for fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment, combined with his steadfast approach to academic excellence has been exemplary,” Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said in the release. “His commitment to lifelong learning and empowering students and staff make him the ideal candidate to lead Brenda Cowan Elementary into its next chapter.”

Downing joined the school district in 2013 as a fourth-grade teacher at Cassidy Elementary, where he worked for five years. In 2018, he joined Lemons Mills Elementary in Georgetown, where was assistant principal. Downing returned to Fayette County Public Schools in 2019 as assistant principal at Wellington Elementary.

“Mr. Downing’s experience in instructional leadership, his dedication to social-emotional learning, and his passion for the arts align perfectly with Brenda Cowan’s strengths and goals,” said Fayette Chief School Leadership Officer Matt Marsh. “His ability to build strong relationships and drive academic success shows he is poised to lead Brenda Cowan Elementary toward excellence.”

Downing holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in education from the University of the Cumberlands, and an education specialist degree from the University of Kentucky.

This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 4:29 PM.