Kentucky School Advocate
February 2020
By Brenna R. Kelly
Staff writer
Kentucky is well on its way to having a new education commissioner, one chosen with the public’s input.
The Kentucky Board of Education is using a survey to solicit feedback on what Kentucky residents want to see in the state’s next education commissioner. The five-question survey, which is open until 5 p.m. Feb. 6, asks takers to rank the importance of qualities such as the ability to “cultivate relationships with all groups” and having “a deep understanding of Kentucky’s rich history in education reform.”
“This is something that has happened in the past,” said Board Chairman David Karem. “We want to make sure people do have an opportunity to express their opinions about what the qualifications are for the new commissioner.”
The results of the survey will be shared at a special KBE meeting on Feb. 12 facilitated by former Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit.
“He actually facilitated the same exact process in 2015,” said Interim Commissioner Kevin Brown. “At the end of that process we will have a list of characteristics that this board can utilize to select the next commissioner.”
In addition to hearing the survey results, the KBE will select a firm to conduct the national search.
The requests for proposals for search firms were due on Jan 24. A committee made up of KBE members – Cody Pauley Johnson, Sharon Porter Robinson and Lee Todd – will evaluate those proposals and make a recommendation at the Feb. 12 meeting.
“We are anticipating an aggressive timeline for our executive search firm. We are trying to give them notice that we would like, in ideal circumstances, to have a new commissioner on board by July 1,” said Robin Kinney, KDE associate commissioner.
Tell the Kentucky Board of Education what you want to see in the next education commissioner by
taking the survey.