Melton selected as next Williamsburg Independent School Superintendent

The Williamsburg Independent School District has selected its replacement for outgoing superintendent Dr. Amon Couch, and he is a familiar face.

The board of education unanimously voted during a special called meeting Thursday evening to hire current Principal Tim Melton to replace Couch, who is retiring effective July 1.

Melton said that he felt very honored and blessed to be hired as the new superintendent.

“Just the tradition that is here at Williamsburg, I have been here three years as a principal. I feel during that time I have gotten to know the students. I have gotten to know the staff. I have gotten to know the community. I think it is just a nice step to be able to take to continue his (Couch’s) work,” Melton said. “Our goal will continue to be there for every student.”

Melton said he wants to continue to work to make Williamsburg the best place it can be.

Melton’s first major task and challenge as superintendent will be finding a new school principal.

He is looking for someone, who is an instructional leader, a visionary, and is comfortable leading.

“When you look at this school and this building, preschool through 12 is a wide spectrum. With that wide spectrum, you have to be able to associate with every level,” Melton added.

Couch said that over the next few weeks, he and Melton would work to transition Melton into the new position.

Couch noted that he is very proud of Melton, who he has developed a close friendship with over the last several years, even before he became Williamsburg principal.

“Mr. Melton is one of the most talented, hard working men that I have ever known in my entire life. I have said this more than once that he is the best principal in the state of Kentucky. He will be a tremendous superintendent. I know that with all my heart,” Couch said.

“Knowing that makes my retirement so much easier knowing the district will be in his capable hands. He loves these children with all of his heart.”

Dr. John Jeffries, chairman of the Williamsburg Independent Board of Education, noted that there were seven individuals, who applied for the position, and Melton was one of three finalists interviewed by the board of May 7.

Jeffries said that he thinks Melton is a good hire.

“We had three good candidates. I thought they all interviewed very well, but Mr. Melton is a proven commodity. He has been with us for three years, and he has been such a good principal. The only bad thing about hiring him as superintendent is we lost a good principal. We are really happy with the hiring,” Jeffries said.

Melton was hired as Williamsburg Independent School Principal in late May 2016 to replace Couch, who had been named superintendent.

Melton has been in public education for over 23 years, and came to Williamsburg after serving as principal at Knox Central High School.

He has a Bachelor of Science, Masters Degree and Rank I in educational leadership from Union College. He has also attained credentials with the highly prestigious National Institute for School Leaders (NISL).

In addition, Melton has completed credentials with AdvancED to conduct quality assurance reviews, advanced training with Integrated System Solutions, Co-Teaching for Gap Closure, Effective Learning Environments Observation Method, Cognitive Coaching Models and TeachScape.

Prior to serving as Knox Central Principal, Melton was the assistant principal at the school and began his administrative career as curriculum coach. He has a math background with teaching experiences in Bell County, Knox County and Tampa Bay, Florida.

He has coaching experiences that included time as a head baseball coach, assistant football coach and assistant girl’s basketball coach.

During Thursday’s meeting, the school board authorized board attorney Paul Croley to meet with Melton and work out the details of his contract.