Education chief well regarded

Draud's health a concern to board

Foregoes Raise Due to Economy

Last week the Kentucky Board of Education said out loud what they have been whispering about for a while. They are concerned about the Commissioner's health.

The Board closed session lasted 3 1/2 hours, apparently with C B Akins on the phone from Europe.

Despite the concern, Draud gets high marks.

This from Toni at C-J:

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky Board of Education gave Commissioner Jon Draud a glowing first-year evaluation yesterday, although the board's chairman said there is growing concern over his health and how that may interfere with his job in 2009.

Draud, who took over as commissioner last December, suffered a minor stroke on Sept. 5 that affected his ability to walk and has prevented him from returning to his job as the state's education chief full-time.

"We all know that this is a 100 or 110 percent job -- Jon is the first one to acknowledge that," said board Chairman Joe Brothers of Elizabethtown. "He has no intentions of not being 100 percent. He indicated to us today that he will be back full-time in the office by the end of the month."

Draud, 70, told The Courier-Journal yesterday that he works in the office at least three days and spends the rest of the week working from his home in Edgewood.

"I am feeling much better and my doctors have told me that I have made miraculous progress, but it is hard to say when I will be 100 percent," he said.

"I am probably at about 90 percent right now.

"I still do not have all the motor skills back in my right foot and I do not feel completely comfortable with driving."

Draud said his wife has stepped in and has been driving him to speaking engagements, as well as to work in Frankfort.

Brothers said a crucial part of Draud's job is traveling the state...