Principal selected for upcoming WCPS preschool

Published 12:33 pm Friday, March 21, 2025

By David Horowitz

DAVID MAMARIL HOROWITZ

david.horowitz@bgdailynews.com

 

 

Over many years, Stephanie Paynter has planned to open an early learning academy for retirement. In fall, the educator of 27 years will oversee the county’s early learning facility.

On Wednesday, Warren County Public Schools announced Paynter as the first principal of its upcoming Early Learning Academy.

Paynter begins July 1, and WCPS anticipates opening the facility for the fall preschool semester following some one to two years of planning and upcoming summer construction at Warren Elementary. WCPS plans to move around 500 preschool students into this new learning academy, around a third coming from WCPS’s Early Learning Academy at Western Kentucky University’s South Campus and the rest from six to eight of WCPS’s 15 elementary schools.

“She’s got no small task,” WCPS Superintendent Rob Clayton said. “Our goal from the beginning has really been all about: How do we increase the opportunities for our 3- to 4-year-olds? It’s no secret we’re a growth district … It is difficult for us to have ample space for all the 3- or 4-year-olds who qualify for preschool. So, by opening this center, we’re confident that it’s going to create a significant additional space that will position us to not only be able to serve significantly more students, but serve them in a more effective and efficient manner.”

Asked about her top priorities, Paynter said it’s very important that families and students feel welcomed — that they know it’s a caring and safe place. Asked if she had early plans for creating that environment, she pointed to ways the building will be child-centered and cater to the youngest learners.

“This space will be transformed — very imaginative, there will be lots of play-based opportunities where students will be able to explore and learn and create,” she said. “We will provide opportunities when the building is closer to being finished to allow students and families to come and visit and see and meet their teachers.”

Most recently, she’s worked as WCPS’s district assessment coordinator; the district website describes the assessment instructional team as overseeing administration of state and local assessments to provide supports at all WCPS schools.

She has also been the former Richardsville Elementary principal in 2020, the assistant principal at Jennings Creek Elementary, the curriculum coordinator at both Briarwood Elementary and Rich Pond Elementary, and a classroom teacher.

Her dream for the youngest learners likely started when she was principal at Richardsville Elementary, she said.

“I just see the need for early education, not just through that role, but through all my roles,” she said. “It’s so important that we put in that effort to give them the best possible start … I have two daughters of my own, and I’ve always wanted them to have the best opportunities — and so, I’m excited to be able to provide opportunities to our entire district.”

Kaleigh Cole, WCPS preschool teacher who’ll transition into the new academy, said she’s excited for the upcoming preschool.

“I am just excited about having a community that is all about our littlest learners and making it into a real school feel,” she said. “I think it’s going to give our students a sense of pride with having all of our kids from different areas coming together. I think that’s really going to make it better when they move on to their other schools. And I think that it’s going to mean a lot to our special needs learners getting to be with typical-developing students in a bigger area.”

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