FRANKFORT, Ky. — Nearly six months after Kentucky's previous education commissioner stepped down, citing 'hyper-partisan' politics as his primary reason for leaving the job, the state has found its next person for the job.
In a livestreamed announcement from Frankfort on Thursday, the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) announced it's selected Dr. Robbie Fletcher to oversee the state's 171 public school districts.
"I will do my best to honor that trust that we have been given for over 600,000 Kentucky students by being all in each and every day," he said during the announcement.
Fletcher has served as the superintendent of Lawrence County Schools since 2014, a small Eastern Kentucky school district of just under 2,500 students -- 44% of whom are economically disadvantaged. Now, he'll be asked to oversee close to 700,000 students.
The KBE selected Fletcher from a list of three finalists, and he will replace current interim education commissioner Robin Fields Kinney -- who was informed from the start she wouldn't be considered for the permanent role.
Fletcher, who is from Kentucky, has nearly 30 years of experience as an educator. He takes on a position that's become increasingly politicized by the year.
Kentucky's last education commissioner, Dr. Jason Glass, stepped down last September -- forgoing the final year of his contract to take a job out of state. He largely blamed state lawmakers for his departure, citing Republicans' 'dangerous' effort to inject partisan politics into public education policy.
The contentious relationship between Glass and the Kentucky GOP was no secret.
In August of 2023, in a news conference a day after announcing his intention to step down, Glass told reporters, "I do not wish to be part of implementing the dangerous and unconstitutional anti-LGBTQ law that the legislature passed this last session, so it is time for me to move on."
Before Fletcher can start on July 1, he will first have to be confirmed by the Kentucky Senate, required by a new law passed by the General Assembly in 2023.
Fletcher takes the position during a time of increased political pressure and culture war issues grabbing the attention of Kentucky's legislature, primarily Republican lawmakers.
Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green, made the following statement about Fletcher:
“Part of our role as a representative legislature is to confirm appointments to critical Kentucky leadership positions and boards. Nothing is more important in Kentucky than improving our educational outcomes and key to that is the leadership at the top.
“Our previous commissioner focused far more on his personal political views than he did educational outcomes. That must not be the case moving forward.
“I'm encouraged by the initial reports of a quality nominee KDE will submit to the Senate for confirmation. Robbie Fletcher is from right here in Kentucky and is very familiar with the needs of students across the commonwealth. I and the rest of the legislature hope to meet him soon and, if confirmed, to work with him and the rest of the KDE on improving Kentucky’s educational achievements to secure a vibrant and working Kentucky future.”
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Fletcher previously worked as a part-time faculty member at Asbury University, and as a principal, assistant principal and mathematics teacher in Martin County.
In Louisville, former Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Board of Education member Sam Corbett weighed in on what it'll take for Fletcher to be successful.
"You need to be a really good politician and a good communicator," Corbett said. "I think the new commissioner really needs to focus on his relationship with elected officials, both the governor's office, the legislature -- House and Senate. That's probably the number one thing on his agenda when he starts this job."
According to a spokesperson with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Fletcher’s salary will be $265,000 per year.
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