Robbie Fletcher Named as Next Kentucky Education Commissioner
In an important development on Thursday, Robbie Fletcher, the Superintendent of Lawrence County Schools, was announced as the next Education Commissioner for the state of Kentucky. This key appointment was made in a special meeting by the Kentucky Board of Education. Fletcher received unanimous approval and appreciation from the board members for his outstanding ability to manage and guide the state’s 171 school districts.
A Leader of Many Qualities
“We sought a leader who embodies the qualities of an ambassador and statesperson, an expert instructional leader, a strong organizational leader, and a visionary innovator,” stated Sharon Porter Robinson, Chair of the Kentucky Board of Education. Expressing her confidence in Fletcher’s qualifications for the role, she added, “We are confident that Dr. Fletcher meets these requirements and are excited about the future of education in the Commonwealth under his leadership.”
Fletcher’s Commitment to Education
With experience dating back to 2014 as the superintendent of Lawrence County Schools, Fletcher also has served as a faculty member at Asbury College and as a principal and teacher in the Martin County school district. Accepting this prestigious position, Fletcher committed to, “be all in, every day.” He added, “When a child sits on one of our buses or walks through the door of one of our schools, a parent or guardian is saying I trust you with my greatest accomplishment as a person. I will do my best to honor that trust.”
Transition from Interim to Full-Time Leadership
The Education Commissioner role was vacated last fall following the resignation of Jason Glass in opposition to what he described as targeted legislation against LGBTQ-plus students by the state legislature. Following his departure, Robin Fields Kinney has been serving as the interim commissioner until Fletcher’s confirmation. The official start date for Fletcher as education commissioner is July 1, subject to approval by the Kentucky Senate.
First Commissioner Under new Confirmation Laws
Fletcher’s appointment comes under the new regulations outlined in a 2023 law which now requires the Republican-led Senate to approve the hiring of the Education Commissioner. The law was authored by State Sen. Mike Wilson of Bowling Green who stated, “Our previous commissioner focused far more on his personal political views than he did educational outcomes. That must not be the case moving forward. Robbie Fletcher is from right here in Kentucky and is very familiar with the needs of students across the commonwealth.”
The Plan for Confirmation
The Senate aims to confirm Fletcher’s appointment before the end of the 2024 legislative session, which is set for next month. However, Wilson clarified that even if the nominee is not confirmed before the session ends, they can still assume the role in the interim. If no confirmation is reached in the following session, the nominee would then be terminated. Further details of Fletcher’s contract have not been divulged at present.
Future Oversight of Kentucky Department of Education
Meanwhile, a move is underway in the current legislative session to gain greater oversight of the Kentucky Department of Education. House Bill 825 has proposed an audit of the agency’s finances and operations. Additionally, Senate Bill 8, if passed, will bring about significant changes to how the members of the Kentucky Board of Education are selected, requiring them to be elected by voters rather than being appointed by the governor.
