7-28-10 —     Two new principals have been hired to provide leadership at Monticello Independent for the upcoming school year, and both individuals will be familiar to faculty, staff, parents, and students. Mary McLean has been hired as the elementary principal and Gary Abbott will serve as principal of the middle/high school.

    McLean and Abbott are already established presences at Monticello Independent, since both have a long history with the school system.

    As Mary McLean takes over the helm of elementary principal, she brings her experience as an educator to the position. McLean has been a high school science teacher at Monticello High School for the last 11 years.

    In addition to serving as an educator, McLean has also been active in the athletics program. She has coached middle school girls basketball for the past three years and coached girls JV basketball for one season. She has also been involved in the Jr. Pro basketball program as well, having coached both boys and girls Jr. Pro basketball and the girls Sr. Pro basketball.

    Although McLean has been employed at Monticello Independent for several years, her history with the school goes back to her days as a student.

    McLean attended Monticello from kindergarten through grade twelve.

    Having been a part of the school system first as a student and then as an educator, McLean is looking forward to serving as the elementary principal and has committed to helping each student.

    "I have a deep love for Monticello School," stated McLean. "I am truly committed to helping every student achieve to their highest potential so they can become a successful member of our society."

    McLean is married to Steve McLean and they have two children—Tristan, a middle school student, and Cody, an elementary student.

    Gary Abbott will be stepping up from the assistant principal position to assume the duties of middle/high school principal. He brings a total of 30 years experience to the job, not only as an educator but as a coach as well. He has also served in an administrative capacity, having worked as an assistant principal for nine years at Monticello Independent and Clinton County. In addition, Abbott served as the preschool coordinator at Monticello for three years.

    Abbott is no stranger to faculty, staff, parents and students of Monticello Independent. He has worked for the Monticello School System for a combined total of 20 years. He was also previously employed with the Wayne County School System for four years, the Clinton County School system for five years, and he worked one year at Tipton Rosemark in Memphis, Tenn.

    Over the course of the past 30 years, Abbott has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels. He taught first grade one year and he also taught math and physical education in grades four through six. At the middle school level, Abbott taught history, English, biology, reading, math and physical education. He taught driver education, reading, and physical education at the high school level. In addition, Abbott has previously served as a high school service learning coordinator.

    Abbott has also earned a name for himself as a coach. He served as head coach for the girls basketball programs at Monticello and Clinton County for a total of 18 years. During his stint as head coach for the Clinton County girls basketball program, the team won the girls state championship in 2003 and ended the season with a 34-2 record.

    In addition, Abbott served as head coach of boys basketball for four years (Monticello), baseball and softball for two years each (Monticello), and volleyball for two years (Monticello and Tipton Rosemark). He also served as the assistant coach in football and basketball at Wayne County.

    "I am very honored to serve Monticello School as their principal and look forward to working with the students, parents, staff, and community," Abbott stated.

    Abbott is a 1997 graduate of Wayne County High School and a 1981 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. He completed his Masters and Rank 1 at Union College. He is married to Regina Abbott and they have two daughters, Brittany and Brooke.