(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – At a special meeting in Lexington on Aug. 25, the Kentucky Board of Education voted to move five individuals forward in its search for the position of commissioner of education – with the possibility of extending a second interview to each, pending additional information.

The current candidates represent both in-state and out-of-state educators. However, the board did not preclude adding additional candidates to the list, which will be decided at its meeting on Friday prior to the start of second round interviews.

Before going into closed session, the board voted to interview an additional candidate by phone, which it did in closed session, per KRS 61.810(1)(f). It also reviewed additional information on the candidates that it interviewed earlier this month. Then in open session, the board voted to advance five individuals in the search process.

The board directed the search firm, Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., to contact the candidates and if there are no objections, the department will release the candidate’s names later in the week.

The board has scheduled second round interviews on Friday, Aug. 28, and Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington.

Current Commissioner Terry Holliday is retiring at the end of August.

Board Chair Roger Marcum said the board would like to name the new commissioner as soon as possible, but is more concerned with getting the right person for the job, regardless of how long that might take.

“This decision involves the education of all of Kentucky’s public school children,” he said. “This is the most important decision that this board will make and we want to be sure we get it right. We want someone who will build on the work that’s already been done with the Kentucky Education Reform Act and Senate Bill 1 (2009) and who will move public education forward both within the state and on the national front.”

The board has selected Associate Commissioner and General Counsel Kevin C. Brown to serve as interim commissioner starting Sept. 1 until a new commissioner can begin.