Board Members
Jennifer Buckman - Chairperson
Board Member Since January 2005
Jennifer Buckman has been a Board member since January 2005. She became Board Chairperson in January 2009.
Mrs. Buckman has a long-standing history of involvement with Union County Schools. Prior to becoming a Board member, she logged countless volunteer hours with our schools as well as served as PTO President for Uniontown Elementary.
Mrs. Buckman is a 1986 graduate of Union County High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She has been married to Eddie Buckman for 36 years and they have one son, Holdan, and one grand-daughter.
When Mrs. Buckman is not working or tending to school business, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Mrs. Buckman’s goal is to see the students of Union County Public Schools achieve at high levels and be well-prepared for their future.
Chad Hagan
Board Member Since July 2021
Chad Hagan is a self-employed construction business owner. Mr. Hagan has volunteered in many capacities working with youth sports programs, building items for school fundraisers, and participating in community events to raise funds for school programs.
Mr. Hagan is a 1998 graduate of Union County High School. He and his wife Kara have three children-- Reese, Rylan, and Ryder.
Mr. Hagan’s goal as a Board member is to ensure our students are all college or career ready upon graduation. He desires for his children and all children who graduate UCHS to be prepared for their next level, whether it be college or trade career.
Vacant as of 6/23/25
Greg Clifton was raised in Hickman County in far Western Kentucky and has been a resident of Union County for over 20 years. He and his wife Hannah have been married since 2002 and are raising two children, Libby and Jack, who both attend Union County Public Schools. Greg is an elder at Sturgis Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he also teaches Sunday School, sings in the choir, and serves on the Christian Education ministry team. He has volunteered as a Union County recreational youth league baseball coach for over a decade.
Greg graduated from Hickman County High School in 1997 as Valedictorian and Honors Graduate. He attended Murray State University as a Presidential Scholar and became a Sigma Chi Fraternity brother and leader on campus. Greg graduated from Murray State in 2001 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agri-Business and a minor in Business Marketing.
Greg is a Wholesale Sales Representative with Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC where he has been employed since January 2005. He enjoys CrossFit, golfing, hunting, and spending time with his family.
Greg has been passionate about public education his entire life thanks to a long family history of public educators, administrators, and public servants. His goals for Union County Public Schools include the following: improve student achievement; increase retention of high-quality teachers and staff; strengthen recruitment efforts for district employees; connect the school district more with the community; and enhance the return on investment of Union County tax dollars. Greg wants to offers his fresh perspective and unique background to help improve our school system.
District 5 Donnie Gatten - Vice Chairperson
Board Member Since January 2017
Mr. Gatten is a native of Union County, a 1982 honors graduate of Union County High School, has a BS in Electronics, and is owner of Technical Training and Consulting, Inc.
Mr. Gatten was married to Union County GT teacher Meg Gatten for 33 years prior to her passing away in 2016. He has four children- Zachary Gatten, Olivia Jarrell, Elizabeth Gatten, and Samuel Gatten. Mr. Gatten currently serves as regional faculty for the American Heart Association, is an Emergency Medical Technician, a Master Electrician, and conducts MSHA & OSHA safety training/consulting across the U.S.
Mr. Gatten’s goal as a Board member is to make a positive difference in student lives and the lives of teachers and school district employees. He believes in the value of listening to other points of view in order to arrive at the best solutions. As a Board member, he will strive to help all of our students achieve at their highest level and acquire the skills needed to prepare them for today’s jobs- and for a successful life.
Student Board RepresentativeLauren Lovell
Board Representative Since July 2024
An accomplished leader, Lauren has served as Class President for both her junior and senior years, Vice President of Service for the National Honor Society, President of Interact, and Vice President of Educators Rising. She is also a three-year member of the UCHS Dance Team and was recognized as Leader of the Month in December 2024.
Beyond school leadership, Lauren has been actively involved in various programs, including the Governor’s Scholars Program (GSP) 2024, Distinguished Young Women (DYW) 2025, Junior Council (2023-2025), and as a 2023 HOBY Ambassador. Her passion for service led her to establish the Secret Santa Service Project, which brings joy to those in need during the holiday season.
In the fall, Lauren plans to attend Western Kentucky University to major in Business Management. Outside of academics and leadership, she enjoys participating in service projects, spending time with friends and family, doing crafts, traveling, and continuously seeking new learning opportunities.
Lauren is a true example of dedication and service, leaving a lasting impact on her school and community.