New bill impacting search for Kentucky Board of Education Commissioner

The Kentucky Board of Education is searching for their next commissioner, but under Senate Bill 107 the process will look a little different.

Frankfort, Ky (WTVQ): The Kentucky Board of Education is searching for their next commissioner, but under Senate Bill 107 the process will look a little different. Under the bill, whoever the Kentucky Board of Education selects to be commissioner now needs to go before the state senate for confirmation

Toni Konz Tatman, the Chief Communications Officer for the Board of Education, says the KBE will Interview and have a candidate for commissioner selected by mid-March.” The “that name can then be forwarded on to the general assembly for confirmation by the Kentucky senate,” Tatman said.

Previously, before this law passed the Board of Education simply selected the commissioner. “It was indicated that she would not be a candidate for permanent commissioner,” Tatman said.  “We are looking for an educator, someone who’s been an education leader.”

The last Commissioner was Jason Glass. He served a little more than 3 years as commissioner, before resigning in September, a year before his contract was up. Candidates for the position need to have a certain background. Currently the interim Commissioner is Robin Kinney.

The commissioner implements KBE policies and directs KDE in managing the 171 public school districts in the state. “Anytime we have a search for a commissioner it’s a good opportunity to hear feedback and ideas on what families and other stakeholders may want in their next commissioner,” Tatman said.

The deadline to apply is February 16th. According to Tatman, the board’s goal is to have a new education commissioner in place by July 1st.