New school: Pemberton High

I submit the name of Barth H. Pemberton to identify the new high school off Winchester Road.

A graduate of Lafayette High School and the University of Kentucky, Pemberton became an outspoken advocate for improving public education standards in all sectors. First elected in 1979, he served four terms on the Fayette County Board of Education, serving as chair for 14 years. Pemberton provided stable leadership during a period of transformation and contention.

His forthright manner and ability to communicate effectively were factors leading to his repeated selection as chair. Despite shrinking budgets and enrollment issues, Pemberton’s tenure marked the county’s successful transition from a junior high to a middle school model and construction of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, the first new high school in 25 years.

Pemberton served as president of the Kentucky School Boards Association, chair of the National School Boards Association’s Central Region and on the Kentucky School Boards Trust and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Board of Examiners.

Naming the new high school after Barth Pemberton would be a fitting tribute and recognition of the principles that guided his unswerving support for quality public education in Lexington and Fayette County.

This story was originally published October 11, 2016 at 6:35 PM with the headline "New school: Pemberton High."