During a Special Called Board meeting on Monday, October 30, the Laurel County Board of Education named Denise Griebel as the New Superintendent for Laurel County Public Schools.
Mrs. Griebel, who had been serving as Interim Superintendent, is in her 32nd year with Laurel County Public Schools.
Beginning her career as a 7th-grade Science teacher, she would move to district-level administration before becoming Assistant Superintendent in 2007 and then Deputy Superintendent in 2011.
Mrs. Griebel released the following statement after the announcement:
"After serving just a few weeks as Interim Superintendent, I found learning all the new aspects of the role, along with the challenges that some of them brought to be energizing and motivating for me as a veteran educator. I received so much positive support from not only the staff but various stakeholders. I realized I could be Superintendent of Laurel County Schools.
While fulfilling the role of Interim Superintendent, it was my responsibility to ensure that the work within the district continued. However, I found it ineffective to continue some of the work as is. I saw changes that needed to be implemented and had ideas of how to do it. I began implementing minor changes in some areas, trusting that the differences would improve or benefit the district. When others approved and celebrated these changes, I realized I wanted to be Superintendent of the Laurel County Schools.
So again, thank you for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and administrators of the Laurel County Schools. Laurel County is already such a successful district; united we will achieve even greater things! I am truly honored to be the new Superintendent of Laurel County Schools."
A Laurel County native, Mrs. Griebel is a 1987 Laurel County High School graduate. She attended Sue Bennett Jr. College, where she earned an Associate Degree. She would receive her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, her Teacher Certification, and a degree in Secondary Education from Eastern Kentucky University. Mrs. Griebel continued pursuing her professional education through Eastern Kentucky University, earning a Rank I in Supervision of Instruction and an Instructional Leadership-School Superintendent Certification.
Mrs. Griebel begins serving as Superintendent on November 1. The Laurel County Board of Education provided her with a contract through June 30, 2027. A community meet and greet to welcome Mrs. Griebel to her now role will be announced soon.