Board of Education narrows list of candidates to 4 for commissioner

Thank you, in advance, Kentucky Board of Education. Now it's time to go beyond the references. Keep up the good work.

This from H-L:

The Kentucky Board of Education has narrowed the list of candidates for state education commissioner to four.

The four names could be released Friday morning, or as soon as all candidates have been notified, Board Chairman Joe Brothers said.

"We're working right now on confirming some final details before we release a statement," Brothers said by phone Thursday. "We're guessing right now that it's going to be in the morning."

Brothers said the board plans to meet for more discussion at a special meeting July 8 — possibly in Lexington — after more interviews with the four finalists. "We'll interview them individually," he said.

It's unclear whether the board would select a new commissioner at that meeting. The panel apparently could make a contract offer to its top choice, pending final background checks, board spokeswoman Lisa Gross said.

The hope is to have a contract signing about July 17, Brothers said....