By Michelle Sokol

The new principal of Collins Lane Elementary hopes to lead the school to distinguished status, and Franklin County Public Schools Superintendent Chrissy Jones is confident she can do it.

The Collins Lane council selected Jennifer Perkins from about 25 candidates at a special meeting Tuesday evening.

Perkins said when she received the call, she was too excited to eat dinner.

“I’m just super ecstatic,” she told The State Journal Wednesday at Arlington Elementary School in Lexington, where she serves as principal staff assistant.

“I’m ready to just jump on board. I had a good felling while I was sitting in that interview, just the relationship with the people I was speaking with.”

Jones said the feeling was mutual.

“She has a lot of energy and she is truly student focused, that came out over and over in her interview,” Jones said.

Perkins’ references — more than 20 of them — helped her stand out, Jones said, and the council only discovered one weakness: She takes on a lot. 

“But she takes on a lot and she’s able to do it,” she said. “There weren’t any negatives.”

Perkins’ current position in Fayette County is equivalent to an assistant principal in Franklin County. She manages the school improvement plan, helps implement new Common Core curriculum and collaborates with teachers, parents and community members.

She’s been with Fayette County Public Schools since 2000, becoming a fourth-grade teacher at Linlee Elementary School the same year she graduated from University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in education. 

In 2006 she received her master’s degree in education from Georgetown College and went on to receive her principal certificate from University of the Cumberlands in 2012.

But Franklin County has been on Perkins’ radar for many months. She was selected as a finalist for the principal position at Peaks Mill Elementary School in August, but the council ended up selecting Susan Robertson to lead the school.

“I think I really just love the small-town feel and the community environment,” Perkins said. “I discussed with the council members how it’s just a hardworking group of individuals there. I just can’t wait to get started.”

She’ll likely take over the position July 1 when current principal Sharla Six assumes the role of director of elementary curriculum for the district.

Perkins was asked to create a plan for the first 30, 60 and 90 days of school for the interview process. She plans to start with bricks and mortar — getting set to learn — and then drawing the blueprints by defining expectations and guaranteeing school readiness.

“I am kind of an analyzer,” she said. “I like to come in and analyze things and observe them and kind of get my own feel for things.”

She wants to start by establishing a relationship with the community, including students. At Arlington Elementary, Perkins served as the cheerleading coach. She wants to consider the students’ vision, too, as she leads the school.

“I truly believe she will be an asset to the Collins Lane community,” Jones said.