Isaacs on top at Central Hardin

Tim Isaacs had an interesting end to his day Monday.

Neal Cardin

Tim Isaacs has been named principal at Central Hardin High School. Issacs has been a teacher, assistant principal and interim principal at the school.

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Neal Cardin

Tim Issacs, principal of Central Hardin High School.

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While he was reading an auditioning monologue for the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center production of “Annie Get Your Gun,’’ he received a career-changing phone call.

An hour or so after his interview for principal at Central Hardin High School, HCS Superintendent Nannette Johnston was calling Isaacs.

“I was just about to read with (PAC director) Bart Lovins when I got the phone call,’’ Isaacs said. “I told him this was my boss and that I really needed to get the call.’’

Isaacs, 45, was offered the job and quickly accepted.

“I was just so excited,’’ he said. “This is the only place I want to be.’’

Isaacs replaces Ron Ortiz, who announced his retirement in May after serving in the position since 2003 with interruptions in the tenure for military commitments and a brief stay as principal at Brown Street Education Alternative Center.

Isaacs is no stranger to Central Hardin. He started teaching social studies there in 1998 and has served the school in multiple capacities in administration and athletics.

“I came to Central Hardin with the intent to be the next girls’ basketball head coach,’’ Isaacs said. “That was my highest ambition.’’

He is the third full-time principal hired at the school, which opened in 1991. Dale Campbell was the other Central Hardin principal.

Isaacs was asked to serve as an assistant principal in 2004, served for 18 months in 2010 and 2011 as interim principal and has been a cross country coach and an assistant girls' basketball coach under Terry Buckles.

Isaacs said his stint as interim principal changed his career focus. He knew then he wanted to be a principal.

“I saw the little stuff that you may not see as an assistant principal and I saw the big stuff that goes with the job,’’ he said. “I knew what it would be like and I knew that’s the direction I wanted to go in.’’

Isaacs was one of 10 applicants for the job. The 11-person Site-Based Decision Making Council interviewed three candidates before selecting Isaacs, said John Wright, Hardin County Schools spokesman.

“I couldn’t be more excited for our district and the Bruin family,” Johnston said in a news release. “Tim did an absolutely wonderful job in his year and a half as interim principal, and I know he and his staff will continue to do great things in the future.

“Tim puts students first and always looks out for their well-being,’’ she added. “He is also very supportive of the Central Hardin faculty and staff and is well respected by parents and the community. Central Hardin will continue to flourish and prosper under Tim’s leadership.”

Isaacs, who is from Louisville, spent five years at the former Glen Dale Children’s Home and taught there. He graduated from East Hardin High School in 1986 and was part of the last boys’ basketball team under Buckles.

He said he wants Central Hardin to continue to create its identity in the community and celebrate achievements. For instance, the school offers 30 hours of dual credit classes as well as six advanced placement classes — the most in the area, he said.

Isaacs, who graduated in 1998 from Georgetown College with a bachelor’s of arts degree in education, is married with two daughters. His wife, Angie, teaches at G.C. Burkhead Elementary School.

Jeff D’Alessio can be reached at (270) 505-1757 or jdalessio@thenewsenterprise.com.