February 7, 2008
School District Hires New Superintendent

Photo by Dave Maxwell Mrs. Nikki Holton, newly elected Lincoln County School Superintendent

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Mrs. Nikki Holton, of Panaca, has been selected as the new Lincoln County School Superintendent to replace Rick Hardy of Alamo, who is retiring. Her appointment takes affect in June. She currently is the Assistant County School Superintendent.

A 1968 graduate of Lincoln County High School, she is the fourth consecutive superintendent who was once a student in the Lincoln County System. Vaughn Higbee and Rick Hardy were graduates of Pahranagat Valley High School and Lorell Bleak was a LCHS graduate.

After graduating from Southern Utah University, Mrs. Holton taught at Pioche Elementary, and from 1985 to 1996 at C.O. Bastian in Caliente, and became principal at Caliente Elementary in 1996.

Mrs. Holton said the challenge of being county school superintendent will “be following in the footsteps of some pretty great men. They have set the bar pretty high.” “Lincoln County School District is in great shape.” she added, “We have high achieving schools. We have met AYP every year. And I think we have some authentic, great administrators. And I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.” She is the first woman school superintendent the District has had.

Rick Hardy has served as Superintendent for four years and will be retiring after 32 years in education and school administration.