Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) Superintendent Clayton was named the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year on Oct. 21 by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) in Reno, Nev. He has been superintendent of WCPS since 2013. Photo courtesy of Rob Clayton.
Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) Superintendent Rob Clayton was named the 2022 National Superintendent of the Year on Oct. 21 by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) in Reno, Nev. Clayton has served as the superintendent of WCPS – the fourth largest and fastest-growing public school in Kentucky – since 2013.
“We value our people. We know that our people are going to determine the level of success for our students and in turn, our students’ success impacts our greater community. It’s special to be in a position to work with such dedicated professionals who are truly committed to our kids,” said Clayton. “Warren County Public Schools has always been seen as a leader across the Commonwealth.
“I felt blessed back in 2013 to take the lead, but when you look at the last two years in general, there’s hardly a person who doesn’t see the value of our public school systems throughout the Commonwealth.”
Before he was named the national Superintendent of the Year, Clayton was chosen as the 2023 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year at the Kentucky Association of School Administrators annual leadership institute in July.
His leadership and dedication to student success has not gone unnoticed.
“Rob Clayton is known for his ardent commitment to academic excellence in his district, county and state,” said Jim Capolupo, a NASS selection panel member and a former NASS Superintendent of the Year.
He described Clayton as “model of uncompromising dedication to student achievement.”
WCPS has routinely performed in the top 10% on most academic metrics.
Under his leadership for the last nine years, WCPS has seen a 25% growth in students, which now number about 18,000 in grades pre-K through 12 representing 103 languages spoken and 89 nationalities.
More than $200 million in capital improvements in the district also have taken place, including the construction of three new elementary schools and major athletic renovations to each of the district’s four high schools.
Under Clayton’s tenure, WCPS was the first district in the Commonwealth to establish a Leader in Me “Lighthouse” school in 2014 when Briarwood Elementary and Natcher Elementary were recognized. Photo courtesy of Rob Clayton.
Under his tenure, the district has grown its workforce to almost 3,000 employees throughout 15 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools and five alternative schools. WCPS is the third largest employer in both Bowling Green and Warren County.
WCPS was the first district in the Commonwealth to establish a Leader in Me “Lighthouse” school in 2014 when Briarwood Elementary and Natcher Elementary were recognized. Today, the district has had 10 elementary schools demonstrate the sustainability necessary to achieve Lighthouse status.
In 2015, the district opened its virtual school, Beacon Academy, which became a resource for families who chose not to send their students to school in-person when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. In 2017, WCPS opened the first international high school to address the needs of young adult English language learners and opened Kentucky’s first computer science immersion school, Jennings Creek Elementary, in 2018.
Along with being the NASS Superintendent of the Year, Clayton is a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year Award, given by American Association of School Superintendents Association (AASA).
Clayton has a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and teaching from Oakland City University; a master’s degree in education, a Rank I in education and superintendent certification from the University of Louisville; and a doctorate in education from Western Kentucky University.
He holds professional memberships and leadership roles such as KASS executive board president, AASA governing board and the Council for Better Education vice-president.
During his tenure in education, he has taught science and coached basketball, track and field, and football.
Clayton and his wife, Robin, a registered nurse, have three children: Morgen, Bryce and Sydney. They spend much of their time traveling as a family and boating on Barren River Lake.
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