FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Board of Education has announced its pick for the next person to lead Kentucky schools.

What You Need To Know

  • The Kentucky Board of Education announced Dr. Robbie Fletcher as its pick for Education Commissioner 

  • Dr. Fletcher is currently the superintendent of Lawrence County Schools

  •  He began his education career as a math and science teacher

  • Fletcher will start the role July 1, pending Kentucky State Senate approval

The KBE had narrowed its search down to three candidates, and on Thursday announced Dr. Robbie Fletcher has been chosen as the state’s Education Commissioner. He will start the role July 1, 2024 pending Kentucky State Senate approval.

Dr. Fletcher is currently the superintendent of Lawrence County Schools in eastern Kentucky. He began his career in education as a math and science teacher in Martin County. He eventually worked his way up to being a principal. Then, he became a part-time faculty member at Asbury University.

Dr. Fletcher has served on several committees and task forces, where he’s gotten a lot of experience working with the Kentucky Department of Education, state lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. Fletcher will now oversee Kentucky’s 171 school districts, the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School of the Blind and 50 state-operated area technology centers.

“I sincerely believe there is no greater compliment, no greater honor, no greater responsibility, than when a parent or guardian allows another person to be a part of their child’s life,” Fletcher said during the KBE meeting in which his appointment was announced. “When a child sits on one of our buses, or walks through the doorway 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 that we have been given for over 600,000 Kentucky students by being all in each and every day.”

Kentucky Board of Education members expressed their confidence that Fletcher will be a great leader in the new role.

“After thoughtful consideration of the feedback collected from numerous Kentucky stakeholders and the priorities of the KBE, we saw a leader who embodies the qualities of an ambassador, statesperson, an expert instructional leader, a strong organizational leader and a visionary innovator,” said Sharon Porter Robinson, chair of the KBE.

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