State board in lengthy executive session with commissioner candidate

Lisa Gross, Kentucky Department of Education Communications Director confirmed that she had received my message and that the state boarrd of education was still in executive session as of 1PM EST.

The Kentucky School Boards Association reports they are, "in an extended, unplanned executive session to discuss the selection of the state's next commissioner of education."

At its two-day retreat in Bowling Green, the state board opened today's session by amending its agenda and immediately going into closed session at 8:30 a.m. CT.

Joining the members of the state board was Illinois superintendent Barbara Erwin, who had previously been identified by the state board as the leading candidate to replace Gene Wilhoit as the chief executive of the state Department of Education.

Since her public identification at the top of three finalists, Erwin has come under criticism for her leadership style in superintendencies in two other states and for an error on her resume.

The state board's search process also has come into question following the disclosure of those issues by news media outlets, rather than the search firm hired by the state.

An update on the meeting will be posted on the KSBA Web site as soon as action has been taken.