Bowling Green Independent Schools announces the upcoming retirement of Candice “Candy” Peay, Director of Special Programs, effective June 30, 2026. Peay’s retirement marks the conclusion of a career dedicated to the students, families, and educators of the Bowling Green community.
Candy Peay began working in BGISD in 2000 as a teacher at Bowling Green High School, then as Special Education Department Chair starting in 2015. Her responsibilities as a leader at BGHS included Admissions and Release Committee (ARC) meetings and ensuring that Individual Education Programs (IEPs) were meeting the needs of every student.
Since becoming Director of Special Programs in 2020, Peay has been responsible for district-wide special education programming, compliance, and resource allocation. As a member of the district leadership team, she has managed the systems and personnel required to meet state and federal requirements across all schools. Her work has focused on operations, managing budgets, and coordinating services to ensure the best possible outcomes for students.
Superintendent Fields says, "I’ve had the opportunity to work with Candy for 26 years. I served as her principal at BGHS for 13 years and then had the opportunity to select her to lead the district's special education department in 2020. She has consistently demonstrated the ability to effectively and passionately advocate for students with special needs, ensuring that individual learning needs are met on a daily basis. Her presence on our district leadership team will be greatly missed. I appreciate that she always began each conversation with the demand that we do what was best for the student."
The district will begin a search for her successor immediately, with Ms. Peay assisting in the transition to ensure that the standard of care for our students remains uninterrupted.