Clay Durham has been named the next principal of Southern Oaks Elementary School. The announcement was made Thursday afternoon ahead of a reception to welcome Durham to his new role, which is effective July 1.
“Being chosen to lead Southern Oaks Elementary School is truly a dream come true,” Durham said. “I am honored and beyond excited to lead this incredible community. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, supportive families, and inspiring students as we continue the tradition of academic excellence and create new opportunities for growth and success.”
Durham has served as assistant principal at Southern Oaks for the past three years, where he oversaw curriculum implementation, supervised instruction, supported student conduct guidelines through PBIS, and coordinated special education programs.
Durham began his career in education in 2009 as a physical education teacher in Ohio County Schools before joining Southern Oaks Elementary in 2012. He spent 11 years teaching PE at Southern Oaks, where he emphasized student wellness, movement, and health, while also supporting their academic and emotional development.
In 2018, he transitioned to the role of behavior interventionist at the school, focusing on schoolwide implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). According to the district, Durham worked closely with staff to create systems that promote a safe and supportive environment for all students.
Daviess County Public Schools Assistant Superintendent for Human Services Dr. Caleb York said Durham was selected following a comprehensive hiring process that included feedback from the school community.
“We were fortunate to have an exceptional pool of candidates for Southern Oaks Elementary,” York said. “Mr. Durham is a dedicated advocate for students and a passionate champion of equity and excellence. He brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to the school community, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every student.”
Durham said he hopes to continue building a student-focused environment.
“My goal is to foster a learning environment that emphasizes engaging and rigorous instruction to meet the needs of every student,” he said. “By working collaboratively with our staff, we will help every student reach their potential both academically and socially.”
