HCHS Principal Ginger Estes appointed to KDE Commissioner’s Advisory Council

By Jennifer Wimmer
Hancock County High School Principal Ginger Estes has been appointed to a three-year term on the Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner’s Principal Advisory Council.
The Commissioner’s Principal Advisory Council, known as PrAC, is a small statewide group of about 17 to 20 current principals who are chosen to offer direct feedback to the Kentucky commissioner of education. Being appointed is a rare honor that only a limited number of school leaders hold at any given time.
Principals who are selected advise Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher on policies, programs and challenges that affect Kentucky schools, including student achievement and school safety.
The council gives school leaders a formal way to share local needs and successful practices from their buildings and districts. Members come from different regions, grade levels and district sizes across Kentucky. The council meets regularly to advise on major issues such as student opportunities, chronic absenteeism and support for principals and teacher retention. These efforts help shape policy and practice for all public schools in the commonwealth.
“Being chosen for the Commissioner’s Principal Advisory Council means Hancock County has a seat at a table where educational input is valued and heard,” Estes said. “Personally, I am honored to be the person seated at the table with other principals in Kentucky. I think Hancock County has a unique voice, in that we are so involved with our community. Our partnerships with local industries, hospitals and our small businesses offer opportunities and perspectives that other districts may not have.”
Council members provide practical feedback on how state initiatives and regulations may affect students, teachers and staff at the school level, from classroom instruction to extracurricular opportunities. Their input helps shape guidance from the Kentucky Department of Education and supports efforts to improve student achievement, promote equity and strengthen public education statewide.
Estes’ appointment gives Hancock County High School and the local district a voice in those discussions. Her experience as a principal is expected to contribute to conversations on school climate, student support services, accountability measures and family engagement.
“I think our commissioner values different perspectives and truly wants to recognize how each district has strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “I hope to bring our strengths to share with others and learn from other districts to grow in areas we can improve upon.”
During her three-year term, Estes will take part in regular meetings and ongoing communication with the commissioner and department staff. Through that work, the advisory council plays a continuing role in shaping Kentucky’s educational priorities and practices.
“Being on the council for a three-year term gives a greater sense of accomplishment and I feel like Hancock County students and staff will get the greatest benefit,” Estes said. “Anytime we can learn from and value each other as professionals, we get the best performance from everyone. Networking and learning from other school districts will help us grow in areas we may not have considered yet. Having three years on this council will allow us to set short- and long-term goals with support from others who have built systems that have experienced success.”
Looking to the future of education in Kentucky, Estes offered this response: “We all know education is an evolving entity and deserves to be fluid in nature so it can grow with the needs of the students and the economy. I want the future of Kentucky education to be a successful transition for all of our students, and taking future needs into consideration is a top priority. I also believe that developing staff and building leaders grows our second most valuable resource, while always remembering that our students are our first and most valued resource.”
Before becoming an educator, Estes served on active duty in the United States Army, where she met her husband, Jeff Estes. The couple are blessed with two children, Lauren and Comanche, who now have families of their own and live in Lexington and Louisville.
After her service in the U.S. Army, she used her GI Bill to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in English. She taught middle school language arts for 10 years and continued her education to earn leadership certification as both a principal and superintendent.
Estes has worked at Hancock County High School since 2017 and said she feels very blessed to work with such amazing people. She said the board members and central office staff are very supportive and offer valuable guidance, and she looks forward to seeing all the great things the students and staff will achieve this school year.