Draud announces sizable staff changes

More top level folks are leaving the Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Jon Draud announced yesterday. In the past two years thirteen deputies, associates and directors have decided to retire.

Why?

We hear rumblings, but the primary motivation here seems to be the financial inducements.

Draud proactively assured the state board that he's aware and on top of the issue...but stay tuned.

The big loss here is Kevin Noland. Huge.

This from the Commish via email:

Over the past few months, there have been a number of departures from the Kentucky Department of Education’s leadership, professional and administrative staffs. Many of the departures can be traced directly to changes in rules that have made retirement a very attractive option for some of our employees. Other departures are part of the normal career cycles that individuals experience.

In an organization as large as the Kentucky Department of Education, change is a natural course of events. For example, if one looks at 2007 alone prior to my becoming commissioner, the following vacancies were filled at the deputy commissioner, associate commissioner and division director levels:

Ø Deputy Commissioner of Learning and Results Services

Ø Associate Commissioner of Assessment and Accountability

Ø Associate Commissioner of Teaching and Learning

Ø Associate Commissioner of District Support Services

Ø Director of the Division of Financial and Materials Management

Ø Director of the Division of Early Childhood

Since I assumed the role of commissioner in December of 2007, KDE has experienced the following vacancies that have been filled or we plan to fill at the deputy commissioner, associate commissioner and division director levels:

Ø Deputy Commissioner of Operations and Support Services

Ø Associate Commissioner of Leadership and School Improvement

Ø Associate Commissioner of Internal Administration and Support

Ø Director of Project Management

Ø Director of the Division of Career and Technical Education

Ø Director of the Division of Federal Programs and Instructional Equity

Ø Director of the Division of Scholastic Assistance

I assure you that we are working to fill vacancies with high-quality individuals as quickly as possible. As we fill positions and bring new employees up to speed, this agency will continue its mission to provide services to Kentucky’s public schools and districts. I have encouraged staff to prepare for smooth transitions, sharing information and maintaining a high level of assistance, so that school district personnel can continue their work to get students to proficiency.

I will communicate changes in leadership personnel as they become official, so that you will have the latest contact information available to expedite your work.