Holly Lepisto, principal of J.G. Johnson Elementary School, has been named as future principal of the forthcoming Ron and Charlotte Floyd Elementary School.

"I'm honored to have been asked to be principal," Lepisto said. "We'll be working hard to make it one of the best schools in Pahrump."

The new school, located at 6181 Jane Ave., is expected to be completed by August 2008. It will house 680 students.

Lepisto plans to hit the ground running and said one of her goals for the school will be to have high state scores from the very first year.

She is especially excited about the opportunities a brand-new school will bring.

Lepisto has been involved in education for more than 20 years and spent 17 of them in a school in Ohio that was built in 1922, so the advantages of a new facility are not lost on her.

In addition, Lepisto is confident of receiving solid support from her staff, particularly since some of them will be moving from J.G. Johnson to the new school with her.

"I hope to be a good instructional leader," Lepisto said.

Lepisto earned her bachelor's degree in elementary and special education from Brigham Young University.

In addition, she has earned two master's degrees, one in education from Lake Erie College and a second in educational leadership from Ashland University.

She has spent much of her career teaching a wide range of elementary grade levels, including two years as a part-time kindergarten through sixth-grade special education teacher.

She has been principal of J.G. Johnson Elementary School for the past two years.