Sunday, October 28, 2007

Kentucky Board of Education names 4 out of 5 finalists

FINALISTS NAMED FOR COMMISSIONER POST


(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Board of Education has selected five finalists to for the position of Kentucky education commissioner.

During a special-called meeting today, the board announced the names of four of the finalists. The remaining finalist’s name will be released after that individual is contacted and confirms his or her continued interest in the position.

The four names released today are:

· Jon Draud, state representative for the 63rd District and a former superintendent of the Ludlow Independent school district

· Richard Hughes, a professor at Morehead State University and former superintendent of the Hardin County school district

· Larry Vick, superintendent of the Owensboro Independent school district

· Jim Warford, executive director/CEO of the Florida Association of School Administrators and a former chancellor for Florida’s public schools

“These candidates best represent the qualities that this board believes are essential for Kentucky’s next commissioner of education,” said Board Chair Joe Brothers. “We had many outstanding applicants, and these are extremely qualified and able.”

Pending final background checks, the full board will interview the finalists and deliberate on the selection in closed session on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13 and 14, at the Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter in Covington.

The public is invited to comment on the finalists by accessing this Web site:
http://education.ky.gov/FormServ/?ID=NextCommissioner

SOURCE: KDE press release.

And this from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Draud in running for state post

EDGEWOOD - State Rep. Jon Draud has made the latest cut in Kentucky's search for a new education commissioner.

Draud, an Edgewood Republican, said Sunday night he is one of five people still being considered for the position. The State Board of Education met Sunday afternoon and reduced the list of potential candidates from nine. Draud said in a phone interview he was told he is still in the running...

..."I'm looking forward to meeting with members of the board," said Draud, a five-term lawmaker and the retired superintendent of the Ludlow schools. "I feel like I can work well with them. And if I don't get the job, I hope they do pick someone from Kentucky."

Cliff Wallace of Grant County, the former superintendent of the Williamstown and Pendleton County school systems, said Draud would make "an outstanding commissioner."

"I've known Jon for 30 years," Wallace said during an interview late last week. "As a legislator, he always follows through with what he says he is going to do. "He knows all or most of the superintendents in the state, he knows the problems and issues school districts face, and he knows the issues from the legislaitve side. So hiring him would bring some continuity; Jon knows the school systems and he knows the legislative process."About the only downside is we would be losing a good legislator," Wallace said.

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