Wednesday morning, the Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees approved the promotion of a long-time district employee to the position of principal at Preston Smith Elementary.

Gail Latimer will take over Preston Smith Elementary after most recently serving as interim principal at the Dunbar College Preparatory Academy.

Latimer has been employed by Lubbock ISD for the past 20 years, serving as an elementary school teacher, elementary and secondary counselor, assistant principal at Hutchinson Middle School and interim principal at Bayless Elementary.

According to Lubbock ISD, Latimer earned her Bachelor of Science in English with a Kindergarten Endorsement from West Texas A&M in 1980. Additional education included earning a Masters of Education in All Level School Counseling from Sul Ross University in 1988 and Principal Certification from Lubbock Christian University in 2004. Latimer and her husband Dale have two adult children.

Lubbock ISD Associate Superintendent for Elementary Schools Joel Castro said, “Gale is an outstanding educator. She leads with a servant’s heart, putting kids and families first. Gale’s nature is to work in close partnership with the faculty, staff and the school community. I know she will be a remarkable leader for Preston Smith Elementary.”

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