LEXINGTON, Ky. — After the tragic passing of Manny Caulk, Fayette County Public Schools is narrowing its search for a new superintendent. On Monday, the district will announce names of the finalists for the position, the district confirmed in a statement to Spectrum News 1.

On December 4, 2020, board members of the Fayette County School District announced the passing of Manny Caulk after he took medical leave a few days prior. Superintendent Caulk spent his life being a champion for children and one friend. Rev. Damon Horton said he will forever be missed in the community.

“He was just an all-around good person and always had the youths' best interests at hand. That's really what he wanted,” Horton said.

The search for a new superintendent began in mid-January. As it comes to a close, the Fayette County Board of Education will invite the community to meet in virtual forums with candidates for the district’s superintendent position.

Detailed schedules will follow the May 24 announcement of the finalists’ names. Each forum will be an opportunity to hear from the candidates on topics of the highest importance to stakeholders. Facilitators will moderate the discussions.

The public is encouraged to submit suggested questions in advance. Everyone is welcome to watch the forums via live stream and provide feedback to the board.

Here's what the next few days of the superintendent search will look like:

• Monday, May 24: At 5:30 p.m., the school board announces the names of the three to five candidates prior to the regularly scheduled board meeting.
• Tuesday, May 25: Several students with the PLD Lamplighter will conduct introduction interviews with the candidates. Once they are finalized, these interviews will be posted to the FCPS search webpage.
• Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27: From 4:30 to 8 p.m., virtual public forums will be held with the finalists

The board plans to have the new superintendent selected and onsite for the start of the 2021-22 school year this fall.