The start of the 2012-13 fiscal year marks one of the largest crops of new and/or first full-year superintendents in Kentucky school systems since the early years after passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act in 1990.
As of today, 34 districts will have chief executive officers who are different than those who occupied district central offices a year ago. There have been only two other years since 1990 in which the state’s public education system has seen this much turnover at the top locally.
Some of the incoming leaders are interim superintendents, in which their boards completed search process. With six searches in the works, there are more changes in district leadership to come this year.
Here are Kentucky’s new superintendents, including those who were employed prior to July 1 and are now starting their first full fiscal years as superintendent (marked with *):
District Superintendent
Adair Allen Reed
Ballard Casey Allen *
Bath Steve Meadows (interim)
Beechwood Steve Hutton *
Bell Yvonne Gilliam
Berea Mike Hogg
Bracken Daniel Fisher, Interim
Breathitt Melanie Stephens (interim)
Carlisle Randy McCallon
Christian Mary Ann Gemmill
Clinton Charlotte Bernard
Cumberland Glen Murphy
Daviess Owens Saylor
Dawson Springs Charles Proffitt
Dayton Jay Brewer
Elliott Carl Thomas Potter
Fleming Bill Morgan, Interim
Fort Thomas Gene Kirchner *
Franklin Mary “Chrissy” Jones
Hancock Kyle Estes, Interim
Harlan (County) Mike Howard, interim
Laurel Doug Bennett
Magoffin Stanley Holbrook
Mercer Dennis Davis *
Newport Kelly Middleton
Ohio Scott Lewis
Oldham Will Wells
Owsley Tim Bobrowski *
Pineville Mike White (interim)
Raceland-Worthington Larry Coldiron
Rockcastle David Pensol
Todd Wayne Benningfield
Union Patricia Sheffer *
Walton-Verona Robert Storer