By Brad Hughes
Special to NKyTribune
It’s looking more and more like there will be a interim commissioner of education to span the time between Terry Holliday’s retirement and when his successor takes over.
The Kentucky Board of Education will meet Aug. 5-6 in Frankfort for its annual planning retreat (Wednesday) and its regular meeting (Thursday). The advance agenda released yesterday calls for the panel to consider “a motion to appoint an individual as interim commissioner.”
KBE Chairman Roger Marcum said in an email interview with the Kentucky School Boards Association’s eNews service that he hopes the need for an interim chief executive will be a short one.
“I would hope the transition time would be no longer than 30 to 60 days,” he said. “KBE continues to work toward a goal of selecting the next commissioner before or soon after Dr. Holiday’s departure Aug. 31. If we are able to do so, there will still be a period of transition time before that person will assume the job duties and responsibilities.”
Marcum said he and KBE Vice Chairman Jay Parrent have been putting together a list of candidates for the state board to consider if an interim commissioner is to be chosen at the retreat.
The first item on the board’s Wednesday retreat agenda calls for a closed session to meet with representatives of the Florida-based search firm, Greenwood/Asher and Associates. The initial application process for the search closed last Friday. Marcum said more about identifying finalists should be firmed up after the Aug. 5 meeting with the consultants.
Meanwhile, Holliday will be feted at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort that evening in an invitation-only event billed as a “celebration of Kentucky education progress and recognition of Commissioner Holliday’s role in that progress.”
Brad Hughes is director of member support for the Kentucky School Boards Association and writes for its eNews service.