One board member told KSN&C that there are "still a few details to work out" but an interim commissioner could be named as early as tomorrow. Substantial speculation is on Elaine Farris to serve as interim - continuing her duties as she has in Jon Draud's absence.
This would likely signal a commissioner search that would not include Farris, but who knows.
It's not always easy to know what the board is going to do and there has been at least one major screw up in the past. Remember the secretive, ill-advised effort to outsource the board's responsibilities during the Barbara Erwin debacle?
There is also reason to believe that Joe Brothers learned much he needed to know during that process.
Next time around the Board did "better" - merely ignoring the governor in the process.
How will the new board proceed with the next selection? Tomorrow should tell.
Board of education sources predict that this board will choose to announce a small number of finalists before final decisions are made - to give the public time to research and react to the finalists before any contract is signed.
The same sources are less certain the board will decide to hire a search firm. Once burned, twice shy.
But using a search firm - in and of itself - was not the problem in the Erwin mess. The problem was hiring the firm, putting blind faith in the the firm and following the firm's tactics - all in the face of contradicting evidence. The board forgot who was responsible to Kentucky's children.
The most critical decision may be which board members are selected to serve on the board's search committee as that decision may drive other decisions. That decision also proved to be a disaster during the Erwin episode.
But I'm optimistic. This time for sure.
Some ideas for the board:
- A national search that does not exclude Kentucky candidates is the way to go.
- Seek a diverse set of candidates and weed out according to merit.
- A search firm can help with the extensive busy work - but don't let them do your thinking for you - they have their own interests.
- Honor the candidate's need for privacy - up to a point - but value Kentucky's interests over any candidates interests.
- Narrow the finalists to three, or so and encourage public input.
- Then, do your own due diligence - verify information on resumes - research public utterances - do your best to know what you're getting.
- Announce your choice, cross your fingers and hold your breath.
This from NKY.com:
FRANKFORT - Education Commissioner Jon Draud's resignation is expected to be officially accepted Wednesday at a special Kentucky Board of Education meeting.
The meeting will also map the course for finding his successor.
Draud, 70, announced last month that he would resign in early February to focus on his health. He suffered a stroke in September that weakened the muscles in his right leg and foot, making it difficult to walk.
He's walking and continues to work a little bit each week, but he said Monday that his physical health is only about 80 percent of what it was before the stroke. He wants to get back to 100 percent.
"I reluctantly resigned - it's the toughest thing I've had to do in my life," Draud said. "But I think maybe God was sending me a message." ...
...The meeting agenda includes "discussion and consideration of a motion to approve the steps to follow in filling the position of commissioner of education" and "consideration of a motion to appoint an interim commissioner." ...
...Lisa Gross, spokeswoman for the education department, said Deputy Commissioner Elaine Farris has been handling some of Draud's duties, such as signing paperwork. Whether Farris will be appointed interim commissioner will be discussed Wednesday....
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