By Cindy Kranz
Enquirer staff writer

GLENDALE - Aaron Mackey's 47-year association with Princeton City Schools has covered the spectrum. He started school there in kindergarten, and now he is the district's next superintendent.

The Princeton Board of Education Friday hired Mackey, Princeton's associate superintendent. His salary is being negotiated.

Mackey, 56, succeeds Don Darby, who is retiring from Princeton after 35 years with the district. Mackey is the fifth superintendent in the district's history.

He was one of two finalists for the top job, but withdrew May 27 because he had split support from the board.

The associate superintendent said he changed his mind a week later after being contacted by about 50 residents and staff who encouraged him to reconsider. David Macali, superintendent of the Ashland City School District, was the other finalist.

Mackey was hired on a 3-2 vote, but he said he believes he can work with everyone on the board.

"The biggest challenge is bringing our board together, so we all can work together for the benefit of all the children in the district," Mackey said.

"My main goal is to work together and communicate often by phone, by e-mail, by delivered messages - whatever it takes."

His No. 1 goal for the district is improving student achievement.

"We're still not achieving at the level that I know they're capable of achieving. The second goal that kind of goes along with that is closing the achievement gap. It's not only racial. It's gender, as well."

Other goals include keeping the district on track to open six new elementary buildings in 2006, and continuing to watch expenses.

Mackey, a 1967 graduate of Princeton High School, has spent 34 years as a teacher and administrator with Princeton. ---

E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com