Kentucky Board of Education sets expectations for new Commissioner

Courier-Journal objects to closed session

for "personal" (not personnel) matters

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Board of Education met [Wednesday] to set expectations for incoming Education Commissioner Barbara Erwin as well as discuss plans for addressing low-performing schools.

"We also wanted to discuss the process by which we will evaluate her," board Chairman Keith Travis said during the meeting.

The board met in a closed session for about an hour to discuss its expectations of Erwin, despite an objection from The Courier-Journal that the private discussion was in violation of the state's Open Meetings Law. "Your objection is noted," Travis said. "There are some things we want to discuss that are personal in nature."

Erwin attended the board meeting but was not present during the closed-door discussion.

...Erwin was asked to present a "30-day action plan" at the August board meeting, "so that we can begin to refine which direction you're going to be going in," Freeman said. "We want to make sure it relates to Proficiency 2014."

...She also was asked to provide a written commissioner's report before each scheduled board meeting.

Travis said the board would review Erwin's performance several times during her first year, beginning with a 90-day review around October.

This from the Courier-Journal.