FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky's education commissioner has submitted his resignation.
The move hands new Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear what he wanted as he reshapes the top levels of the education system to reflect his distaste for charter schools.
The state's newly reorganized state school board accepted Wayne Lewis' conditional resignation on Thursday at a special meeting. Beshear set Lewis' removal in motion on Tuesday, when he disbanded the Kentucky Board of Education and then recreated it with 11 new members on his first day in office.
Ten former board members promptly sued to block their removal, but state judges refused to temporarily block the new governor's executive order.
WHAS11's Political Editor asked Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, who will have the real say in this will it be this board or will it be this governor?
"That is a fair question to ask considering the promise that was made on the campaign trail and followed through with today... I can tell you this, this board has more experience in public education they've shown a passion for our children and our public schools in a way that is absolutely remarkable those are the folks who are going to make the decision about who the next commissioner of education is" Coleman expressed.
The new board says they'll meet in January to get acquainted with their jobs and begin that nationwide search for a new commissioner of education in Frankfort.
Robin Kinney who currently works in the Office of Finance and Operations will serve as interim commissioner until December 18. At that time, Kevin Brown will take over.
Brown is currently serving as general counsel for Jefferson County Public Schools.