Public input sought on traits for next Kentucky education commissioner
The Kentucky Board of Education is seeking public input on traits it should consider when selecting Kentucky’s next commissioner of education.
Full details on the comment process and a working draft of the current list of desired traits are discussed in Kentucky Department of Education News Release 15-052. BIPPS readers are encouraged to take a look and see if other things are desirable in our new education commissioner.
Here is the news release:
KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
NEWS RELEASE No. 15-052 May 15, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Nancy Rodriguez
Office: (502) 564-2000, ext. 4610 | Cell: (502) 330-5063 | E-mail: nancy.rodriguez@education.ky.gov
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON TRAITS FOR NEXT COMMISSIONER
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Board of Education is seeking public input on traits it should consider when selecting Kentucky’s next commissioner of education.
Current Commissioner Terry Holliday announced in April that he is retiring, effective August 31.
At a special board meeting on May 7, the board discussed a number of traits and characteristics that members believe are important for the next commissioner to possess. Those have been assembled into a draft document on which the board would like public feedback. The board will consider the feedback before finalizing its list, which will be used for the job posting and to evaluate potential candidates.
Board members have stressed that their primary goal is to seek an individual who shares its commitment to putting the needs and interests of students first and foremost and preparing them for success in their education, career and citizenship.
The board also identified the following overall expectations for anyone seeking the position:
possesses the appropriate professional qualifications and passion to lead and champion the public education system of the commonwealth
primarily driven to advance student achievement and student success, a leader whose central focus is on improving results for students, and a person who has a sense of urgency to reach educational equity for all students
exhibits the capacity to engage, involve, motivate, and inspire the educators who have assumed the opportunity to educate the state’s next generation
balances a combination of relentless focus on the student with that of managing the system to support the people who are getting the work accomplished
displays the highest moral and intellectual integrity, is honest and open, pursues difficult issues with a firmness of purpose, exhibits respect of others, shows consistency and depth of thought, and presents a deep appreciation and respect for diversity and inclusion
Additionally, the board has identified a number of specific traits that the successful candidate must possess. Those qualities fall into three main areas: communication, knowledge and experience, and leadership and change management.
A working draft of all of the characteristics for Kentucky’s next commissioner of education is available on the Kentucky Department of Education website. Those wishing to comment or provide additional input are encouraged to submit their feedback through an online survey available here. The survey will close at 5 p.m. ET on May 29.The board is tentatively scheduled to finalize the traits and characteristics for Kentucky’s next commissioner of education during its regularly scheduled board meeting June 2 and 3 in Frankfort. Board members have indicated that they would like fill the position by the time Holliday leaves, but have said that hiring the right individual is the most important consideration.
The board has hired the Florida firm of Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. to manage the commissioner of education search.