KDE Overhaul Prompted by Budget Cuts

In a cost-saving move prompted by a steady stream of cuts to the Kentucky Department of Education budget over recent years, Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday is proposing a reorganization of the Department that would eliminate four of the top 10 administrative posts under his office.

Last week Holliday fired two administrators, including former state Rep. Frank Rasche, the department's legislative liaison.


KDE spokeswoman Lisa Gross told C-J, “Primarily this is being done for economic reasons — our budget cuts. But this also reflects the commissioner's vision by streamlining in a way that will allow us to focus on ... the strategic priorities of the [state Board of Education].”

Some of those in jobs being eliminated will move to lower-level positions in the department under the plan. Gross said the savings from eliminating top administrative jobs could amount to $500,000 annually...

Gross emphasized that an executive order enacting the proposal has not yet been signed by Gov. Steve Beshear. She said Holliday met with Beshear Wednesday to discuss it.

This from KDE Press release:

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is embarking on a new model of organization that is designed to make the agency more streamlined and efficient and to help provide services more effectively.

This reorganization proposal delineates a model that focuses on next-generation learners; next-generation schools and districts; support and services for all the agency’s constituents; information and data services; and more. KDE began operating under this new structure on Monday, July 19, and an executive order from the Governor’s Office formalizing the new organization will be forthcoming.

“This proposed reorganization addresses two major issues,” said Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday. “First, this model will incur annual cost savings of approximately $500,000 in salaries with the elimination of higher-level positions and increase the efficiency of the agency. Second, this model enables the agency to directly address priorities related to Senate Bill 1 and other legislative mandates, Kentucky’s Race to the Top application and the Kentucky Board of Education’s strategic plan.”

The highlights of this model include:

• a structure that provides more direct reporting to the commissioner of education from KDE offices
• a logical distribution of programs, projects and teams based upon KDE’s core,
  guiding and support processes
• grouping of efforts that address common activities and issues

The proposed organizational hierarchy is as follows:

• The current structure of eight offices is streamlined to six offices, with a primary focus on the Kentucky Board of Education’s strategic priorities.
• The number of operational divisions in KDE also is reduced by a third due to consolidation and redirection of strategic priorities.
• Some office, division and branch names have been changed to reflect the changes in priorities and work.

Although office names have changed, and individuals within the agency may be assigned to new areas, KDE’s mission is the same: to prepare all Kentucky students for next-generation learning, work and citizenship by engaging schools, districts, families and communities through excellent leadership, service and support.

The proposed new organizational model will enable the agency to target the areas of greatest importance and provide the services schools and districts need to ensure student success, while complying with additional budget reductions required by the biennial budget shortfall.

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ORGANIZATIONAL LISTING

Commissioner’s Office
Terry Holliday, Ph.D.

Office of Guiding Support Services/General Counsel
Kevin Brown, Associate Commissioner

Division of Communications and Community Engagement
Lisa Gross, Director

Division of District 180
Sally Sugg, Director

Division of Innovation and Partner Engagement
David Cook, Director

Office of Administration and Support
Hiren Desai, Associate Commissioner

Division of Budget and Financial Management
Charles Harman, Director

Division of Resource Management
Lynn McGowan-McNear, Director

Division of District Support
Kay Kennedy, Director

Division of School and Community Nutrition
Denise Hagan, Director

Office of Knowledge, Information and Data Services
David Couch, Associate Commissioner

Division of Engineering and Management
Mike Leadingham, Director

Division of Operations and Services
Phil Coleman, Director

Office of Next-Generation Schools and Districts
Larry Stinson, Associate Commissioner

Division of Consolidated Plans and Audits
Debbie Hicks, Director

Division of Next-Generation Professionals
Michael Dailey, Director

Office of Assessment and Accountability
Ken Draut, Associate Commissioner

Division of Assessment Design and Implementation
Kevin Hill, Director

Division of Support and Research
Rhonda Sims, Director

Office of Next-Generation Learners
Felicia Cumings-Smith, Associate Commissioner

Division of Program Standards
Michael Miller, Director

Division of Learning Services
Larry Taylor, Director

Division of Early Childhood
Annette Bridges, Director