WEST CHESTER TWP. — For the next year, Reba Hill Barkley will be a principal without a building or students.

        Ms. Barkley will leave Amelia Elementary School in the West Clermont Local School District to become principal of a yet-to-be-built Van Gordon Elementary School in the Lakota Local School District. The new elementary is to open in August 2003 on the Van Gorden Farm, an 85-acre site at the northwest corner of LeSourdsville-West Chester and Princeton roads in Liberty Township.

        It is the same site where the Lakota Board of Education will put a new junior school, not yet named, also scheduled to open in 15 months.

        Monday, the board gave Ms. Barkley a two-year contract. She will earn $84,103 annually in her new position, beginning Aug. 1.

        Until the school opens, Ms. Barkley will assist at Cherokee and Heritage elementary schools as she takes part in the planning for the new school. Attendance boundaries for the school are being drawn up now and should be ready for board approval before classes end for the summer.

        “Reba Hill Barkley has led teachers, has taught future teachers and is an experienced and talented elementary school principal,” said Lakota Superintendent Kathleen Klink.

        Bruce Lewis, who has been assistant principal at Ridge Junior School since 1997, was named principal of the new junior school but won't assume the position until next year, although he will be an integral part of the planning process. His salary for the new position has not been set.

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