"Old" KBE members "Held Over"

When the Kentucky Board of Education meets ... in a few minutes... Joe Brothers will still be chair and other members whose terms have expired will still be serving.

This is owing to the fact that the law does not specify what is to happen if a governor is late making new appointments. Further, there seems to be no Kentucky case law which helps to answer the question.

Former Attorney General Fred Cowan actually relied on a South Carolina case in OAG 91-17 to support the continuation in office of "hold-overs." In Bradford v Bynes, 221 S.C. 255, 70 S.E.

2d 228, 231 (1952) the court ruled that absent "pertainent statutory or constitutional provision" that such members become "defacto officer" until they are duly replaced. "The presumption is against a legislative intent to ...allow a condition whcih may result in an ...administrative office remaining unoccupied."

KSN&C Backstory:

Today's agenda includes consideration of local board of education or school-based decision making council appeals of the commissioner’s action under KRS 160.346 regarding leadership assessment reports and discussion/action on 2010-11 preschool funding rates.

Lookie here:

Proposed Budget Endangers $200 Million in RTTT Funding

Brothers Urges General Assembly Not To Cut 2 School Days

Stumbo & Williams see it as
an opportunity to find other eduction cuts

In "Flawed budget by the weak-willed," the Herald-Leader correctly opines that the proposed budget coming out of the House this week "is the kind of budget Kentucky can expect when lawmakers lack the backbone to do the right thing on comprehensive tax reform." It is a budget that completely refuses to address the real problem while it looks for more band aids to slap on its structural imbalances.

Rather than providing solid stewardship over the state, our legislative leaders seem to prefer short-term tactics that serve their own interests - reelection. The proposed plan completely fails to fix the tax structure. Instead, it cuts higher education; reduces school days (while some claim it doesn't matter); and heaps more long-term burden on the public to cover short-term necessities.

And there is absolutely no reason to believe the General Assembly will complete tax reform in the 2011 short session with its enhanced procedural requirements for budgetary legislation. If that pushes legislators back yet another year, legislators will once again face reelection concerns. And the cycle continues.

Yesterday, Kentucky Board of Education Chair Joe Brothers fired off a direct plea to the General Assembly since they seem to have have been deliberately ignoring similar pleas from multiple other sources, including Commissioner Terry Holliday.

March 11, 2010

Dear Members of the General Assembly:

Members of the Kentucky Board of Education are extremely concerned about the effect of House Bill 290 (the budget bill) to eliminate two days of instruction from Kentucky’s public school year. The board members strongly support the recent remarks by Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday, in which he said, “Shortening the year by two days would move us backward.”

Additionally, media attention on legislative action to remove two instructional days from the school calendar could adversely affect Kentucky’s consideration for federal funding of up to $200 million as a finalist in the Race to the Top competition. General spending reductions by the other state finalists for this grant competition are a common issue and should not attract national attention for Kentucky. However, reducing instructional time is likely to damage Kentucky’s position compared to the other state finalists, as none of the other 15 are reducing instructional time!

While the members of the board understand and support the legislature’s difficult task to balance the state budget, we strongly urge you to look for other sources of funds to help fill the deficit than eliminating the two instructional days.

Thank you for all of the fine work you have done to improve education, including Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 176. If the same collaborative process that produced these pieces of legislation is applied to this issue, we are confident that you will be able to determine an alternative solution.

We welcome further dialogue with you and other partners on this matter.

Sincerely,

Joe Brothers, Chair

Kentucky Board of Education
(Sent at the request of members of the Kentucky Board of Education)

cc: Terry Holliday

JB:MAM:mam

House leaders told H-L that they "would have been open to hearing such ideas." But Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, said that as far as he knows no one from the school board came to the House while it was considering its budget to offer any solutions. Stumbo said he would welcome any ideas to save more money.

Meanwhile, Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, said the state could save as much money by cutting K-12 education funding by about 1.5 percent instead of taking away two instructional days.

"There are many people who are concerned that taking away two instructional days sends a bad message," he said.

We're getting lots of bad messages out of Frankfort these days. The messages say that we can expect more of the same in the future.

KBE punts on charter schools

“There is just as much data that says [charter schools]

are doing good things for kids as there is that says

they aren’t making a difference or are lower performing.”

“Until there’s a lot more consensus on national-level research,

I don’t think you can make the case that charter schools

are the answer or that charter schools are the problem.”

---Terry Holliday

This from Brad Hughes at KSBA:

Local school board authorization

would be critical to

state leaders' support

The Kentucky Board of Education Wednesday chose to take no position on creating charter schools in the state. But KBE members want more information on the matter should Kentucky’s lack of charter schools end up hurting its application for $200 million in federal Race to the Top funding.

And state board members agreed with Education Commissioner Terry Holliday that if charters are to be created in Kentucky, authorization by local boards of education would be key to their support.

“My sense of the board is that we don’t have a compelling desire for charter schools,” said KBE Chairman Joe Brothers, “but if that’s what it takes to get us in good stead with the federal government, it is very similar to a lot of things that we’ve been doing for 20 years, including site-based councils.”

Vice Chairwoman Dorie Combs agreed that the state board isn’t ready to take a position on charters…at this point.

”I think where we are is that before we do anything, we need more information. I would suggest staff continue to research this issue and, should we have a need to be more specific, bring us back together,” Combs said.

The state board discussion resulted from Holliday’s request for guidance as the 2010 legislative session progresses and the state awaits a March 1 notice of the status of its Race to the Top application.

“What if our score comes back and says, ‘You know, you would have been a finalist if you had had charter school legislation’? Holliday said. “So all I’m trying to do, as I told the KSBA conference, is preparing a Plan B. What would we do if we find the only reason we didn’t get Race to the Top funds is charter schools?” ...

“The biggest concern we all have about charters

is that they do take away resources from the local school district

…unless the local board is the authorizing agent.

I’ve been very clear from Day One that

the only charter legislation I would personally support

would require that the local board is the authorizing agent”

---Terry Holliday

State education board to seek authority to remove school officials in low-performing districts

This from Jim Warren at the Herald-Leader:

The Kentucky Department of Education plans to seek several measures in the upcoming legislative session to boost low-achieving schools, including possibly removing superintendents or school board members in those school districts.

Kentucky law already allows the state education commissioner to seek the removal of local school officials for such things as misconduct, incompetency or wilful neglect of duty. Now, the education department proposes to add chronic low student academic performance to the list of causes for removal.

The idea was neither new nor unanimous. In fact, the same conversation took place last year, almost to the day.

At issue is whether the commissioner should be allowed to dismiss a school superintendent whose district test scores do not measure up.

Superintendents generally oppose the measure, arguing that it is unfair to hold superintendents responsible for student achievement in the schools because they do not directly control enough of the variables for that to be fair - specifically, even though they recommend a pool of candidates, they are not empowered under KERA to hire their principals.

At present, if a principal fails to perform (as measured by student achievement data or for any other reason) the superintendent has the authority to demote him or her immediately - without any guarantee that the principal would be given, say, three years to raise scores, which some consider typical. Principals have argued privately, to no avail, that it is unfair to demote them since they do not control enough of the variables.

Teachers lose their jobs with even greater frequency than principals or superintendents - while arguing that family background factors frequently trump their ability to get all of their students to perform at high levels.

It's not a fair system, but so far, only superintendents seem to be exempt from personal responsibility.

According to EPSB records, 288 disciplinary cases were initiated in calendar year 2008, and 257 character and fitness cases were opened for the EPSB’s review. As of June 30, 2009, 131 disciplinary cases, and 131 character and fitness cases have been opened for the current calendar year. When a case is initiated against an educator, the educator is given 30 days to submit a rebuttal, and then the case is prepared for review by the Board.

The EPSB reviewed 288 disciplinary cases during 2008. The EPSB dismissed 51 cases (18%), voted to hear 116 cases (40%), and deferred 44 cases (15%) for training or more information. The EPSB chose to admonish 77 educators (27%).

237 applications were presented to the EPSB in 2008 for character and fitness review. The EPSB approved 220 of those applications, denied 7 applications, and deferred 10.

In 2008, the EPSB revoked 16 certificates and suspended 30 certificates. 105 cases were resolved by agreed orders, and the EPSB issued 2 final orders: 1 order revoking a certificate for 5 years and 1 order admonishing an educator.

Individuals whose certificates are revoked or suspended continue to submit their certificates to the EPSB. Any certificate subsequently issued to anyone whose certificate was previously revoked or suspended now includes “Revoked” or “Suspended” and the relevant timeframe on the face of the certificate. This assists district authorities in making well-informed hiring decisions.

Dorie Combs, a state board member from Richmond, said she supported the idea of providing accountability, but argued that the removal proposal would not help to accomplish that. Combs then moved to have the removal language dropped from the board's legislative agenda.

Other board members objected, however, with board chairman Joe Brothers arguing that accountability is part of being a leader and that the future of Kentucky schools is the state board's responsibility.

Combs' motion died on a voice vote.

Since last year, the Obama Administration has ramped up pressure on states to turn around chronically low-performing schools and school districts. At the same time, it is pushing for a (still imperfect, but more fair) value-added longitudinal assessment system that would attempt to account for much of the student variability by establishing baseline data on every individual student, then, tracking that data throughout the student's career. The target date for such a system is 2011-2012, but the board's legislative proposal will go forward this spring, absent the new system.

The board's recommendation would change the language of KRS 156.132 to give the education commissioner authority to remove a school superintendent or school board member. Last year the language of the board's action called for removal after six years of repeated poor academic performance. This year's proposal does not state a time frame.

It's not really fair. But it is equally unfair.

Kentucky to pursue federal education grant

Holliday hits town

Brothers re-elected Chair of KBE

Dorie Combs and C.B. Akins named vice chairs

This from C-J:

Kentucky's new education commissioner said Wednesday that his first priority is to win a competitive federal grant for school reform.

Commissioner Terry Holliday, in his first day on the job, told the state Board of Education that he plans to aggressively go after money through the $4.35 billion “Race to the Top Fund” unveiled by President Barack Obama late last month.

“The whole purpose is to get more kids graduating from high school and prepared for postsecondary work, whether it be community college, college or technical training, or even the armed services,” Holliday told reporters during a break in the monthly board meeting.

Money will be awarded to states that propose strategies for raising academic standards, adopting common student assessment tests and improving teacher quality.

School Board Chairman Joe Brothers said Kentucky is ahead of other states because of a bill passed by the legislature this year.

Senate Bill 1 scraps the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System — known as CATS — and requires the Department of Education to devise new educational standards and a new test for the 2011-12 school year.

“The word on the street, and in articles being written in education circles, is that Kentucky has positioned itself to reassume some of the leadership it had at one time and maybe has not sustained over time,” Brothers said...

N.C. Supt of Year Picked to Lead Ky Schools

Meet our new Facebook friend. BTW, KSN&C lrnd BOE vote wz unanimous.

This from Jim Warren at H-L:

A North Carolina school district superintendent was chosen Friday as Kentucky's new education chief, responsible for leading efforts to reform testing and academic standards....

The selection is viewed as crucial because the state will face a variety of changes in education over the next few years, including the creation of a new testing and accountability system, new academic standards and possible changes to the Kentucky Education Reform Act...

I'm looking forward to coming and getting down to work," Holliday said after the board introduced him.

The 2009 North Carolina school superintendent of the year said he wants to move rapidly when he takes over in Kentucky. His first scheduled stop Friday was a meeting with Gov. Steve Beshear.

Besides getting to know the staff at the education department, Holliday plans to meet with school superintendents and teachers in the state...

...Holliday said he will be "highly transparent," making use of Twitter and other social Web sites to keep people aware of what he has done and where he's going. Twitter that allows users to post short messages and follow others' messages.

Education board chairman Joe Brothers said the board was attracted to Holliday by several factors, particularly that he was able to boost his district into the top 10 academically in North Carolina even though the district ranks in the bottom 10 in funding.

And this from Nancy Rodriguez at C-J:

..."We started out ahead with reform 20 years ago, and a lot of people are saying we are no longer ahead. We are falling behind," said Joe Brothers, chairman of the state Board of Education. "We need to move ahead, and we need more than just incremental improvements."

Brothers said the state also needs to make larger gains when it comes to meeting the needs of minority students and those with disabilities....

..."These are difficult times we are in. Kentucky is struggling economically just as North Carolina and all of the states across this nation," [Holliday] said. "I think what we have to do is work together in more collaborative ways to find ways to be the most effective and efficient we can."...

..."The main thing is teachers in the classroom helping children being successful," [Holliday] said. "And I can commit to you today that we will work very closely with teachers to keep the progress going."...

...Wilson Sears, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, congratulated Holliday on his selection yesterday, and "pledged the full cooperation of the superintendents across the state."

"Together we can move the quality of education in Kentucky forward and work together for the good of our children in Kentucky," said Sears, a former Somerset Independent Schools superintendent.

The Kentucky Education Association released a statement in which it applauded Holliday's hiring, and said it believed "he was clearly the best choice among the four finalists." ...

The most recent commissioner, Jon Draud, served a year before resigning in December following a stroke. Before that, the board hired Barbara Erwin, who resigned before starting work, after inconsistencies were discovered on her resume.

Commissioner Expected to be Named Today

This morning the Kentucky Board of Education will conduct an 8 AM special meeting at the Capital Plaza Tower, 1st Floor, State Board Room in Frankfort. It is expected that a new education commissioner will soon be introduced to the state.

KSN&C asked its readers to cast their ballot and by an overwhelming margin have called for the selection of Terry Holliday Superintendent of the Iredell-Statesville Schools, in North Carolina.

Who is Your choice for Education Commissioner?

Dennis Cheek
13 (17%)

Terry Holliday
53 (70%)

Catherine Cross Maple
2 (2%)

Michael Sentance
7 (9%)

But who will the state board of education choose?

In addition to Holliday the board is considering:

Dennis W. Cheek, Ph.D. who is currently senior fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Catherine Cross Maple, Ph.D. – Maple is currently deputy cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Public Education Department, and

Michael Sentance - most recently the Secretary’s Regional Representative at the U.S. Department of Education.

Board of Education chair Joe Brothers has been sounding optimistic about a unanimous decision this morning and other sources close to the board predict a fairly quick meeting.

Brothers Comments on Board's Hiring Process

Contacts from search firms are

fairly common in most professions,

but I don’t think people typically

take them as a commitment to hire,

or for that matter,

any kind of preferential treatment.

-- Joe Brothers

On Wednesday, KSN&C speculated,

... apparently, some of our own Kentucky folks felt like they were being recruited by the board in the first place and told how great they'd be. Then, not selected -none of them.

Since that time KSN&C has made inquiries and attempted to move beyond speculation and nail down the facts.

In a statement released to KSN&C today, Kentucky Board of Education Chair Joe Brothers clarified the board's perspective on the matter.

The Board has been very careful to indicate from the beginning that this is a national search and that it is open to all. In fact, many persons approached KBE members individually supporting this or that person even before we knew whether or not they had applied. Board members have tried to be very careful to thank people, encourage whoever that so desires to apply, and tell them about application contact information. Throughout the process, the KBE has been very careful to tell all people that the Board is committed to hire the very best candidate.

The process used by the search firm includes follow up on information from three sources: those that applied, potential applicants referred to the search firm by stakeholders groups and others, including the search firm’s database. Also, the position was advertised in the Courier Journal, Herald-Leader, on the KDE website and in several national education related publications.

Contacts from search firms are fairly common in most professions, but I don’t think people typically take them as a commitment to hire, or for that matter, any kind of
preferential treatment.

Brothers described the process used by the Board saying,

The Board has very carefully reviewed the qualifications of all candidates including extensive reference checks and is continuing to do so. The search continues to be very thorough, striving to assure that we are fair to all while securing the very best applicant for our children.

Not only that, but the board was careful to give itself maximum flexibility by keeping the application period open-ended. The Board was still accepting applications even after the first round of interviews on July 8th. I suppose this explains how he could check with Fayette County Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman earlier in the week.

So, why no Kentuckians? Brothers said,

The Board has a heart for Kentucky applicants and I can assure you that every board member would have been pleased to see a Kentuckian among the finalists.

We reviewed each candidate’s qualifications based on the criteria and characteristics we agreed were critical for Kentucky’s next Commissioner. One of those was knowledge of Kentucky’s reform and SB 1 in particular. The Board concluded that the candidates selected were those we believe are strongest across all of the criteria.

Our Kentucky candidates were strong and their willingness to serve is greatly appreciated. We do hope that their interest in developing their careers in education remains high and believe that they will have excellent opportunities in their future!

The Kentucky Board of Education is still asking for input. Brothers said the board is committed to considering all comments from stakeholders. Further, I know from first-hand communications that the board is much more open to, and encouraging of, candidate research than has sometimes been the case in the past. This is a positive development.

Their next meeting is scheduled for July 17th.

SOURCE: Board of education communication

Final note: In Wednesday's piece I wrote of my chat with Silberman; "he said something that helped me better understand..." While I did not intend that phrase to infer that Stu was providing confirmed facts, someone apparently took it that way and raised the question with him the other night. To clarify, Silberman's comments to me were hypothetical. His speculation was shared by others I consulted subsequently, but was not a confirmed fact. If my inartful writing was ambiguous, or left a different impression with the reader, I apologize.

Trouble in Paradise?

I just happened to spend about 5 hours in Fayette County Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman's office today - while the real journalists were across town. He looked good, by the way; a long way back from a serious bicycle wreck. Joe Brothers called. Stu and I had a nice chat. And, he said something that helped me better understand the strong reaction some of our in-state superintendents have had to the state board's commissioner finalists.

I must admit I didn't get it at first.

There's nothing wrong with the board valuing national experience, so long as that's what they get in the end. ...a debatable point. You apply. Take your chances. Somebody wins. Somebody loses.

But apparently, some of our own Kentucky folks felt like they were being recruited by the board in the first place and told how great they'd be. Then, not selected -none of them.

Uh oh. This is not good.

Any board member who may have done the recruiting would surely have known who they were recruiting, right? And if their background was lacking national experience, or lacking in any way, why encourage them to go through the process? It could only lead to heart break.

I couldn't blame such a person if they felt seduced and abandoned. ...and of course, really hacked off. I hear some folks are resigining from state efforts in the wake.

Now, having hyped the quality of the field, and passing on the in-state talent, the board's finalists have got to measure up. But do they? That's being questioned in public; hotly in private. So C-J advised the board to slow down.

One of my former colleagues blamed the twice-as-expensive-for-roughly-the-same-low-quality search firm for circulating the same old resumes, which certainly seems to be true for three of the finalists.

And, speaking of the search firm, when is Kentucky going to find one that will actually vet the candidates? The revelations made public by KSN&C about Dennis Cheek should never have been news to the board, or the search firm, but they were. C-J went further today asking,

What are the implications of Dennis Cheek's background as a pastor and church-planter, his appearance on Stanford University Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship leader Glen Davis's list of "Pentecostal/Charismatic/Third Wave leaders" and his years with the controversial and polarizing John Templeton Foundation?

Cheek did not respond to KSN&C's inquiries, but C-J's Nancy Rodriguez caught him at the interviews today. Cheek said he concurs with court rulings, and does not believe intelligent design should be part of the science curriculum. He did note that there are differing opinions on evolution, which he said is "part of being in a free society."

He's right. He was free to keep all mention of it off his resume. Why did he? And KSN&C was free to go find it.

He also freely stated his opinion that,

"After some consideration of the philosophical cautions which should be observed in any scientific discussion, the fossil evidence having to do with primates is reviewed. It is concluded that there is no real evidence to show either that the primates evolved from anything else, or that man evolved among them. The Scriptural view, that man and these other creatures were created separately, is fully as much in accord with the evidence, and is more credible on other grounds."

Shame on Greenwood and Associates for not researching the candidates any better than Ray & Associated did and - again - leaving our board victimized by shoddy work.

Hey wait a minute! Joe Brothers? Why does the state board of education keep calling Stu?

...and on such a busy day?

Well for now, the board is doing the right thing. Nothing.

KSBA reports,

Kentucky will wait until July 17 to learn who will be the state’s next commissioner of education.

The state Board of Education spent more than eight hours today in Lexington interviewing four finalists before deciding that more vetting of the candidates needed to be done.

Chairman Joe Brothers said all four finalists remain under equal consideration. He does expect that the board, when it meets next week, will be ready to hire a new
commissioner.

My thanks to Silberman and his assistant Cheryl Neal for their hospitality and allowing me to spend the bulk of the work day in his office researching former superintendent M A Cassidy and the history of the Fayette County schools.

More Commish Laments

In this morning's Herald-Leader a few more regrets were added regarding the lack of a Kentucky finalist for the education commissioner's position.

Wayne Young, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, said Monday that he has heard some expressions of disappointment. "I think it would be fair to say there's some disappointment that the list did not include some folks from within the state," Young said. "That's understandable, and not surprising."

Young said that during the search for commissioner candidates he spoke with the search firm that the state hired to assist in the process. He said he advised the firm that the new commissioner should be "someone who could hit the ground running."
Young said that all of the four finalists "certainly seem to be qualified, and I'm sure they're all fine people."

"What strikes me and people who have contacted is the thought that some of our own folks were equally qualified," he said. "We'll be pleased to work with the new commissioner, whoever it is. But I'd be less than candid if I didn't say some people out there are kind of scratching their heads."

Young's finger is correctly measuring the pulse. I remember at the height of the Erwin debacle, it was very difficult to find a sitting school administrator (or association representative) who would utter a discouraging word, because they believed they would be working closely with the board's choice and didn't want to spoil the relationship before it started. The same dynamic applies here. KERA gave the board of education the authority to choose.

Brothers said Monday that some "very strong Kentucky candidates" were among the applicants for commissioner, and "the board would have been very pleased to have seen some of them among the finalists." The pool of candidates was "very competitive," and making selections was difficult, he said.

"The bottom line is, when you go through a process like this you try to do it fairly and equitably," Brothers said. "When we came to the end of the process, the top candidates weren't from Kentucky."

Supts & Prichard say None of the Above

"...no one from outside the state

could better serve our children

than a Kentucky superintendent..."

-- Wilson Sears

For weeks the board has been bragging about the quality of its candidates for Education Commissioner. But key state players appear to be underwhelmed by the choices.

This is pretty much what the state board of education didn't need.

Having avoided any candidates with major cons, some are left wondering about the pros.

This from C-J:

Superintendents group objects to education chief finalists

The head of the state's superintendent association has raised concerns about the four finalists for the state's next education commissioner.

The state Board of Education announced Friday it had whittled its education commissioner choices to four out-of-state finalists, who will be interviewed Wednesday. The board is hoping to name a new commissioner by Aug. 1.

In an e-mail sent to state superintendents Friday, Wilson Sears lamented that no Kentucky candidates were among the finalists, and he encouraged state school superintendents who share that concern to contact state Board of Education members.

"To say the least, the Executive Committee of KASS (Kentucky Association of School Superintendents) is concerned that no candidate from Kentucky is a finalist for the commissioner position," said Sears, KASS' executive director and former superintendent of Somerset Independent Schools.

"We feel that a Kentucky superintendent could 'hit the ground running' and provide us the leadership necessary to move the quality of education in Kentucky forward," he wrote in the e-mail. "We believe that immediate continuation of improvement is urgent, and that no one from outside the state could better serve our children than a Kentucky superintendent who already has the knowledge, awareness, and understanding of our history." ...

"We're disappointed that the Kentucky candidates didn't get a better look," said Cindy Heine, Prichard's associate executive director, speaking on behalf of the committee. "The four finalists look like fine candidates, but they are not the level you would expect for one of the top education commission posts in the country."

Board chair Joe Brothers told C-J that "while the board had some strong Kentucky candidates, it felt that the four finalists selected were the most qualified."

The board told Tom Shelton, last week, that a lack of national experience made the difference. So it would seem fair to say that the board did not give preference to in state candidates. The superintendents seems to think it should have.

Breaking: 4 Commish Finalists Announced

Expect this post to be updated throughout the weekend.

In the background, KSN&C is reviewing any, and hopefully all, public utterances made by the finalists. Small items may be added here as issues surface. In the end all relevant material will be posted separately by candidate. For Cheek, 66 articles were reviewed. 118 articles were reviewed for Cross Maple. 257 articles reviewed for Sentance, and 281 articles were reviewedfor Holliday. Stay tuned.

(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – In a special-called meeting Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education continued its discussion of candidates for the position of commissioner of education and narrowed the field to four finalists.

The four are:

Dennis W. Cheek, Ph.D. – Cheek is currently senior fellow at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (A non-profit foundation with assets of $2 billion whose vision is to foster "a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities" focusing on advancing entrepreneurship and improving the education. Think robotics & charters.) in Kansas City, Missouri, a position he has held since May 2009. (He was a finalist for the Commissioner's position in Missouri last week until Hazelwood schools superintendent Chris Wright was selected.) Cheek’s previous experience includes: vice president of education for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; vice president for Venture Philanthropy Innovation and managing director for Templeton Venture Philanthropy Associates (This from Slate Magazine; and this) at the John Templeton Foundation (A "philanthropic catalyst for discovery in areas engaging life’s biggest questions," with roughly $1.5 billion in assets Templeton gave $70 million in grants in 2007.) in Pennsylvania; senior consulting professional at the Science Applications International Corporation (a FORTUNE 500 scientific, engineering and technology applications company with numerous federal, state, and private sector clients; in 2003, was 9th largest defense contractor in the US.) in Tennessee; director of the Office of High School Reform, Research and Adult Education at the Rhode Island Department of Education; project coordinator at the New York State Department of Education; and elementary, middle, high school and university teacher. He earned bachelor’s degrees from Towson University (history/secondary education ) and Excelsior College (Biology - And where he now serves on the President's Advisory Council); a master’s degree from University of Maryland Baltimore County (History); and doctorates from Pennsylvania State University (curriculum and instruction/science education) and the University of Durham (theology).

Terry Holliday, Ph.D. – Holliday is currently superintendent of Iredell-Statesville Schools in Statesville, North Carolina, a position he has held since 2002. (Holliday addresses district issues directly with the public through monthly articles in the Charlotte Observer - including a fuss with county commissioners who play a role is setting tax rates for school construction, staffing concerns, closing the achievement gap.) During his tenure, the school district received the 2008 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. (In 2003, 04 and 05 he was trained and served as a Baldridge competition judge...a similar strategy worked for him as a band director.) Holliday’s previous experience includes: superintendent of the Transylvania County school system in Brevard, North Carolina; associate superintendent and director of accountability for Rock Hill School District 3 in York County (where he implemented a "zero tolerance" policy for serious student misbehavior), South Carolina; principal, assistant principal and director of instrumental music for Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina (In 1986, his Fort Mill Band was invited to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade following applications in 1983, 84 & 85.); and band director at Northside Junior High, Parker High and Gaffney High in South Carolina. Holliday’s work as a school administrator led to the closing of achievement gaps and marked improvement in graduation rates and other student achievement measures. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Furman University (Music Education); a master’s degree (and Ed Specialist Degree, both in Ed Admin) from Winthrop University; and a doctorate from the University of South Carolina (Ph. D. Ed Admin). (From the district website: Holliday was named Superintendent of the Year for Western North Carolina in 2002; N C Supt of the Year by the NC Music Educators Association in 2008, and was recognized by the NC Public School Forum as a Jay Robinson Leadership Award finalist in 2007. Holliday was recently named 2009 A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year by the North Carolina School Boards Association and the North Carolina Association of School Administrators. Since Aug 2008, he blogs! Claims, Top 20 performance on state testing; Top 25 in AYP among NC districts; Top Ten SAT Scores in NC; Achievement gap closed by over 40%; Dropout rate decreased from above 10% to 4.5%.) (2008 Baldrige Award recipients respond to questions submitted by the audience during the 2009 Quest for Excellence conference. Holliday begins about 2:33 in.)


(Holliday's Keynote 24:31)



Catherine Cross Maple, Ph.D. – Maple is currently deputy cabinet secretary (the #2 position which carries most of the load, 7 divisions, 500 staff, and also puts her over charter schools, high school redesign and college readiness) for the New Mexico Public Education Department, a position she has held since 2004. (In 2008, Cross Maple was a finalist for the Commissioner's position in Ohio.) Maple’s previous experience includes: assistant secretary for New Mexico Vocational Rehabilitation (a division of the New Mexico Public Education Department within her current cabinet); strategic planning officer (built district's 1st system for public reporting of data), director of Organizational Planning and Development and director of Student Support Services for Albuquerque Public Schools (served as charter school liaison and under pressure, backed off a plan to charge home-schoolers a $20 fee), New Mexico; CEO and executive director for the YWCA of Albuquerque; coordinator of Project Outreach for the University of New Mexico; and teacher for Washoe County Schools and the University of Nevada. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University; a master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno; and a doctorate from the University of New Mexico. (Likes Block scheduling)

Michael Sentance (left, in photo) – Sentance most recently was the Secretary’s Regional Representative at the U.S. Department of Education (under Margaret Spellings during G W Bush (R) Admin), a position he held from 2001 to January 2009. Sentance’s previous experience includes: senior education advisor to the Governor of Massachusetts (under William Weld (R), Paul Cellucci (R) & Jane Swift (R)); Massachusetts secretary of education (under William Weld); director, Massachusetts Governor’s Legislative Office (under Weld); Massachusetts assistant attorney general; and legal counsel for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (under Thomas P O'Neill III (D)- Tip's son). He earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University (American Studies); a juris doctorate from the Duquesne University School of Law; and a master of laws degree from the Boston University School of Law. (Video from the Pioneer Institute) (2007 Audio from NHPR: Windows Media MP3 )


Sentance Comments on blogs:
(This retort to Politics K-12: "Your comment about the Massachusetts graduation rate demonstrates how little you understand about state accountability systems.
Massachusetts already has an 81% completion rate. Which is in the top tier of states."
Posted by: Michael Sentance March 27, 2009 3:57 PM)
(...and on Flypaper: Michael Sentance: May 22nd, 2009 at 9:16 pm I think that we’ll see that there will be rules — and then there are waivers. Or “flexibility”. In the case of MA, I would expect the charter cap to continue but a determined effort to have the faux-charter schools (”Readiness schools”) to be counted as increasing the number of charters in the state.")
Blow up:
(Boston Globe - Wednesday, May 14, 1997 - Sentance ... erupted at a recent Concord youth soccer game, verbally abusing a referee at least 20 years his junior with such ferocity that he was ejected from the game and subsequently suspended for the season.)
Roots:
(Boston Globe - Saturday, November 23, 1996 - Sentance is a former Democratic activist, organizing for Gary Hart's and Al Gore Jr.'s presidential campaigns in the 1980s. )

“The diversity of the pool of candidates for this position was excellent because of the extensive outreach,” said Kentucky Board of Education Chair Joe Brothers. “Narrowing the pool has been challenging, because the candidates represented many opportunities for leadership in Kentucky.

We’ve selected these four based on their state and national education policy work, state and national recognition for their accomplishments in education, national foundation leadership, executive-level experience outside of education and work with executive and legislative branches of government. The board will continue its verification of credentials and research into all four candidates, and we look forward to meeting with them again next week.”

During the search, the board and Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. made over 300 contacts, reviewed detailed information on approximately 80 individuals and interviewed 12 candidates. The board will meet with each finalist separately on July 8 in Frankfort.

The board welcomes public input on the four finalists. Comments may be made to any board member, in person or by telephone. Contact information for the board members is available here.

SOURCE: KDE press release

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....

Brothers tells KSBA Public Vetting "Essential"

But How Many?

This from KSBA:

When the state board meets [July 2, Chairman Joe] Brothers expects it will proceed to plan its second-round interviews sometime around July 8. However, the state board chairman cautions that the search firm may still bring in more candidates for consideration.

“They are still taking applications,” he said. “That makes it a bit hard because they could come up with another strong candidate when we meet July 2, and we might have to do phone interviews then.”

Brothers added that the board has not decided how it will proceed with any public announcement of finalists.

“The board has always felt strongly that, at some point, we would be vetting one or more candidates (publicly). We discussed that extensively, but we’ve not sorted out exactly how we will do that. But we do believe that is essential to the process working,” he said.

Take Their Word for it. KBE Pleased with High Quality Candidates.

KSN&C continues to hear positive news about the number of high quality candidates for the position of Education Commissioner.

This is encouraging.

Unfortunately, it is also reminiscent of the glowing assurances offered by a prior board when Barbara Erwin was selected to the post in early 2007.

But having concluded three days of interviews earlier this week with a dozen semifinalists, members are still tight-lipped about whether the search process will include any opportunity for the public to weigh in on the finalists before a final decision is made.

Maybe that will happen - or maybe not.

The best I can understand; the general sentiment among board members seems to be that the board has been given a sacred trust (my words, not theirs) to act on behalf of the public and they serve the public interest by acting on our behalf. The public should simply trust the board to do what's best.

A bit paternalistic if you ask me. That attitude wasn't acceptable during the Fletcher administration and it shouldn't be during the Beshear administration. No one doubts that the final decision belongs to the board.

The public should trust - but first, it should verify.

Since some candidates want secrecy, and openness might reduce the pool of candidates for this very public position, one wonders if the personalities of some candidates is what it ought to be.

What is the big downside for one's candidacy being known anyway? As was suggested recently, why wouldn't finalists simply say to their current bosses, “I’m flattered that Kentucky asked me to interview, and I look forward to exchanging ideas with some of the most innovative educators in the country. But I love my current job.”

In fact commissioner applicant, Tom Shelton, already delivered the line:

“If I don’t get the position, I still win. I get to stay in Daviess County, a district I love,” he said. “If I get it, I will be in a position to help the whole state.” The application process itself is a good experience, no matter the outcome, since he gets to share his experiences and ideas with the board, Shelton [told the Messenger-Inquirer].

Are we seeking secretive persons for this very public position? Is the board looking for the kinds of folks who naturally operate in the full light of day? Are our finalists tough enough for the job ahead?

Shelton tells KSN&C that his board understood because he has been open with them and they have been very supportive. He even sought their advice in advance.

My Board has been very supportive and understands why I felt the need to apply. They also know that I did not make my application plans a secret. I talked with many different people and groups about the possibility of me applying to get input and advice. Because of this we knew that it was only a matter of time before the media picked up on my application. I have not received any negative feedback from my Board or anyone else. I only hope that it did not put the State Board into a difficult position as they have a tough job in managing this process and making their selection.

Board Chair Joe Brothers reports,

The Kentucky Board of Education has received 80+ applications for the commissioner of education's position and overall we are pleased at the quality of the candidates. At the June meeting, the board narrowed the field to a group of semifinalists that were interviewed on June 15-16 in Cincinnati. From this group, we will likely choose the finalists to bring in for a second round of interviews. Our hope is to have the new commissioner in place by late summer. Stay tuned for more details as we move through the search process.

KDE spokesperson Lisa Gross tells KSN&C that the board interviewed 12 candidates including some in-state applicants.

The diversity of those candidates is not crystal clear but "board members indicated that they had a diverse pool, and the search firm has said that, of the 80 or so applicants that comprised the larger pool, 46% were either female or minorities," Gross said.

Since race is no longer indicated on job applications, and the question of ethnicity could not be raised during the interviews - it may be inappropriate, difficult or impossible to judge candidates visually - the degree of racial diversity represented among the candidates is not certain.

The board plans to meet again on July 2 to review the reference checks on the 12 semifinalists they interviewed.

Gross adds an encouraging note,

I expect that there will be more information after that meeting. The board has not yet come to a final decision on when and how to release the names of finalists.

One hopes that following the July 2 meeting the board takes some time to conduct their own due diligence - research that goes beyond what references have to say - and that three finalists are announced with a period of a couple of weeks for public input.

Strong candidates and an open process gives the state its best chance to identify a commissioner who commands broad public support and who can effectively lead Kentucky through School Reform 2.0.

Bad Memories: Who's Looking Out for the Public's Interest?

At the end of this morning's Herald-Leader story on the search for a new education commissioner for Kentucky was this one-liner:

[KDE spokesperson Lisa] Gross said it's unclear whether the names of finalists will be made public.

In this morning's Courier-Journal, however, KBE Chair Joe Brother told Toni Konz that the board simply hasn't decided yet.

"I do expect that at some point one or more finalists will be publicly vetted, "he said.

ONE or more?

This is always a tricky issue and the board is wise to protect the identity of persons who apply for such positions - up to a point. It serves no legitimate purpose to cause disharmony in the school districts or other venues from which candidates are derived. Some argue that an open process would constrict the number of candidates who are willing to step up to the challenge of running a large and vitally important public organization.

However, at some point, the public's interest in knowing and having the opportunity to vet and provide input on candidates outweighs any individual candidate's interest in anonymity.

In the board's last search (Jon Draud, late 2007) three finalists were publicly identified and citizens were given a couple of weeks to provide feedback to the board before a final decision was made.

But announcing one finalist only will be seen as a dodge that is sure to give the public the sense that the decision has already been made and the opportunity for public input is insincere.

The Kentucky Board of Education would be wise to name their three finalists, once again.

As a reminder to board members who may actually be flirting with an anonymous search process, lets review how that worked out in early 2007.

• Before the hiring of the previous state school commissioners, Thomas Boysen, Wilmer Cody and Gene Wilhoit, (and later, Jon Draud) the state school board released the names of the finalists so the public and interested groups could weigh in and have a say in the selection process.
• Gene Wilhoit resigned in September 2006 and Ray & Associates was hired to conduct a search that December. Ray & Associates advised the board to keep everything confidential, citing the reasoning mentioned above.
• On April 1, 2008 the Kentucky Board's search committee held its first meeting where they decided to follow Ray's advice.
• As early as April 7 Mark Hebert reported that the Commissioner search was being conducted in secret. Search committee member Bonnie Lash Freeman told Hebert that the board was aware that it was the first time a commissioner would be chosen entirely behind closed doors and that the board hadn't discussed the possibility of backlash from taxpayers. She refused to say whether any of the three finalists had asked that their names be kept secret. KSBA advised the board to name 2, 3 or 4 finalists. KEA advised "more transparency." That's when KSN&C got involved.
• On April 10 KBE said the names of finalists might not be released to the public.
• By April 16th Governor Fletcher involved himself and the process became politically charged. Sources tell KSN&C that Fletcher was posturing; believing that the board was really intending to name finalists all along, but for some reason, thought it best to present a secretive front.
• On April 18th the board named three finalists - and appeared to have lost control of the process in doing so.

Things went pretty much downhill from there.

By the 19th, KSN&C had posted numerous pages of research on the finalists, and by the 24th, advised the board to choose Mitchell Chester, now Commissioner in Massachusetts while expressing concerns about the other finalists, Barbara Erwin and Richard LaPointe.

Public vetting can help the Kentucky Board of Education avoid past problems and make a better decision. But only if they are sincerely listening and remain open-minded until time for the final decision arrives.

New Search Firm Twice as Expensive ...as that Bad One

The Kentucky Board of Education spent $60,000 searching for Commissioners in 2007. Ray & Associates was hired for the ill-fated search that produced Barbara Erwin and the board conducted its own search before hiring Jon Draud.

Now the board will pay Greenwood/Asher & Associates Inc., a Florida-based consulting firm, $120,000 to guide a new search for another education commissioner, the third since Gene Wilhoit resigned in November 2006. Greenwood/Ashher is the same firm that placed President Lee Todd at UK in 2001, and President Jim Votruba at NKU in 1997. The CPE paid them $130,000 to help search for its new president, Robert King, who was hired in December.

Board of Education chair, Joe Brothers told C-J's Toni Konz he's not frustrated about having to pay more for a new search.

"No, it's not really a frustration," he said. "It's a disappointment in some ways … but that is par for the course."

Greenwood/Asher's President and CEO Jan Greenwood told C-J her firm will recruit potential candidates and place advertisements in statewide and national publications, perform background checks, interview references and help the board conduct interviews.

This is all well and good. But it is no substitute for the board doing some extra digging on their own when it reaches the finalist stage.

KSN&C has had a couple of off-the-record conversations that convince us that board members are plenty sensitive to the errors of the past and are dedicated to a better process this time around. But just in case, and assuming finalists will be named (as we hear they will be) KSN&C will be doing some of its own vetting as well.

This from the State Journal:

Kentucky Board of Education members plan to put an education commissioner in place by Aug. 1, Chairman Joe Brothers said after meeting with the group’s search firm Wednesday.

According to a tentative search schedule, the board could review potential candidates in early June, followed by two rounds of interviews on June 23 and 24, and July 8, 9 or 10....

After the meeting, Brothers told reporters the board doesn’t have a preference for an in-state or out-of-state candidate.

“There’s a preference to get the very best for Kentucky’s kids,” he said.

He said the recent passage of Senate Bill 1, which does away with the state’s Commonwealth Accountability Testing System, shows Kentucky is “stepping up” and could present a good opportunity for the right candidate.

Board members had suggestions Wednesday for what that candidate would look like. Several said they hope he or she has experience in the classroom, but members agreed that the next commissioner could come from outside the education field.

Board member Billy Harper, a western Kentucky businessman, said he hopes to hire an “innovator” like University of Kentucky President Lee Todd.

“He came - not out of the education world - having that dream for UK, willing to do what it takes to move the university forward,” he said. ...

8,296 miles and in "excellent condition."

This from Toni Konz at C-J:

State to try again to auction Draud's car on Ebay

First effort on eBay came up short

The state is trying for a second time to sell the car of former Education Commissioner Jon Draud on eBay -- after no one met the reserve price the first time.

The starting bid for the 2008 Chrysler 300 -- purchased at Draud's request last year -- was $10,000. As of late yesterday there had been seven bids and the highest was $19,600.

The first time "we received quite a few bids on it, but they did not meet the reserve so it did not sell," said Deputy Finance Secretary Glenn Mitchell. "We lowered the reserve a bit, added more of a description and put it back on eBay."

The listing will run through Friday, unless it sells before then, Mitchell said.

Draud, 70, initially said he would reimburse taxpayers for the car, which he ordered with $13,000 in add-ons...

...Joe Brothers, chairman of the Kentucky Board of Education, said Draud asked the board that he not be obligated to reimburse the state for the cost of the vehicle when he resigned.

Brothers said board members agreed to let him out of that commitment, if he waived the 90-day separation requirement in his contract.

If Draud had been paid for the remainder of the 90 days, it would have cost the state about $40,000...

KSN&C Backstory.

Farris Named Interim Commissioner, will not be candidate for permanent position

KSN&C report: Breaking

Board decides on National Search

and Search Firm assistance

Whole Board will Screen Candidates

This afternoon the Kentucky Board of Education accepted the resignation of Education Commissioner Jon Draud. Draud's resignation follows a positive evaluation from the Board and was prompted by health-related issues.

He will be replaced in the short term by Deputy Commissioner Elaine Farris, who becomes the first African American woman to serve in that post in Kentucky.

Following a discussion of pros and cons, by consensus, the board agreed to conduct a national search, utilizing a search firm.

Target dates:

• RFP by or before February 10th meeting.
• Discuss role and expectations for the Commish and search firm at the February meeting
• Select firm by March. Possibly moving the March 4th meeting date and adding a day to agenda (10th & 11th)
• New Commish August 1st

The board seemed ready to approve the use of a screening committee process when, after a break, board member Austin Moss made a plea for the board to reconsider. His comments reflected a concern for board unity.

One of the opportunities we have is to always do what's best for children. I think we do that when we are inclusive and working together and all on the same page with the same information.

Moss went on to express his concern over the frequency of commissioner changes and his desire that all members have "equal input into the evaluation of the candidates." He said, "a committee "becomes more divisive, for me."

We've had a hard set of conversations recently relative to leadership (a likely reference to the 3 1/2 hours closed session in December.) and I don't want that to continue as we move forward in selecting this new commissioner.

After another brief discussion Chairman Joe Brothers recanvassed the members who agreed to serve as a committee of the whole. When a quorum of the board meets in committee it carries with it all of the open meetings responsibilities. So expect a number of special meetings of the board this spring, held in closed session, without action.

Chairman Joe Brothers asked the board to discuss the search process the board wished to follow. The board had the option of doing the search themselves or putting it out to bid and they chose to hire a search firm.

Dorie Combs kicked off the discussion saying, "I think we'd want to do a national search." That was followed by members suggesting the board "use a search firm to help us with the process" but that "we need to develop a set of questions for the search firm." One member reminded the board that "We have been burned by that process" (in the past). Combs said, "We do want to make sure that the search firm works for and with us. They do the detail work, but it comes down to our decisions."

Veteran board member, Doug Hubbard, suggested,

"Let's go back to the qualified persons we talked to in the last search and see if we could interest either of them... For those of you who may not have been here, after the lady from Missouri (Barbara Erwin, Illinois), or whatever, departed, I think it was on a Thursday night, the next time we came together, we discussed about approaching three people that we had considered qualified to be commissioner, to see if we could interest any of those three. And, as I recall, one of them at the time had made a commitment to the district with which he was employed, (an apparent reference to Stu Silberman) that he was going to be there for a set number of years. And he chose to honor that.... Keith (Travis) was involved in doing that so I don't know exactly what was done. It was my understanding that passes were made by one or two of these other people. But, anyway, I just suggest that. Those of you who have not gone through a commissioner's search, much less, two commissioner's searchers, might not appreciate the time and stress and expenses (involved). It's something to think about."

Actually, there were three untapped candidates in the "last" search: Richard Hughes, a professor at Morehead State University and former superintendent of the Hardin County school district; Larry Vick, superintendent of the Owensboro Independent school district; and Jim Warford, executive director/CEO of the Florida Association of School Administrators and a former chancellor for Florida’s public schools. But Hubbard was probably referring to the prior search, the one that produced Barbara Erwin. The finalists at that time were Mitchell Chester, who since became Commissioner of Massachusetts, and Richard LaPointe, a former deputy assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

Steven Neal countered, "It seems to me it's time for a new beginning." he called for a national search and the use of a search firm.

After several more members weighed in, in support of a national search, Hubbard got off the best joke of the day.

"I have absolutely no objection to a wide national search, fifteen search firms, or whatever everybody wants to do." If the issue was whether we tried a year and a half ago - we did try. "Last time we were criticized for not doing a national search... Of course, we only had candidates from 23 states and three froeign countries. ..for a country boy from Bardstown, that was pretty national."

But Combs was cautious offering,

I think it's very important that we do this very carefully; by the book. And while we might do some things that would save us money - in the end, it might not save money. I don't want to cut corners on these important decisions and going through the process.

Members mentioned the need "to do better than we did the last time."

"I don't think this is a process that can be easily rushed," another offered, but "we have the advantage, as laborious as it was, that we have been through this before recently."

"The fact that we've had trouble in the past makes us less desirable," another said.

Then Hubbard offered some historical perspective that was not widely reported.

We're dealing with entirely different circumstances now, than then. 'Cause remember, at that time, we did not know that our chairman was trying to get (the) job. And certainly...if Joe wants to be commissioner, (turning to Brothers) tell us now!

KSN&C Backstory.

Draud's exit has board seeking successor

Tomorrow at 1pm, the Kentucky Board of Education is scheduled to take the first official steps toward selecting Kentucky's next education commissioner. The Board must accept Draud's resignation and confirm some actions that have been going on in the background.

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....