Middlesboro Superintendent Waylon Allen presented his Capstone Project as part of a special-called board meeting on Monday.

The Kentucky Department of Education requires all first-year superintendents to participate in a program designed to provide new superintendents with the resources to implement the Next Generation of Effectiveness Standards.

The Capstone Project details the ascertainment of these standards. In addition to the school board, present at the meeting were Allen’s executive coach, Dr. Fred Carter, and mentor, Kyle Lively.

The project highlighted the various achievements of Allen’s first year as superintendent including the completion of various construction projects, the installation of safety fencing for the bus parking area, recognition of student academic success and the hiring of a school-based social worker through the Elgin Foundation.

“This has been a very difficult year for all superintendents in Kentucky,” said Carter after Allen’s presentation. “In a normal year, you don’t have to deal with all of that. He’s had to deal with all that. He’s had a really good year,” said Carter.

Carter went on to highlight all of the challenges the previous year brought such as the eclipse, the pension issue and the national debate on school safety.

Allen thanked the board, faculty, staff, students, parents and Middlesboro community for allowing him to serve as the leader of the school district.