FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) officially has its new leader after getting confirmation from the Senate. Robbie Fletcher was confirmed by the state Senate as education commissioner on the final day of session 36-1.

What You Need To Know

  • The Kentucky State Senate confirmed Robbie Fletcher's appointment as education commissioner Monday

  • He is the current superintendent of Lawrence County Schools, a position he's held since 2014

  • Fletcher has nearly 30 years in public education 

  • He assumes his role July 1

All but one senator voted to confirm Fletcher’s appointment as commissioner of the state department of education. State Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, voted no on the confirmation.

Fletcher is the current superintendent of Lawrence County Schools and has nearly 30 years of experience in public education. He will assume the role of education commissioner July 1 after serving as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

“When someone tells you that they trust you with their child, it’s humbling," he said. "It's the biggest compliment, biggest responsibility that you can take on."

Fletcher replaces former commissioner Jason Glass, who resigned last fall. During the confirmation vote Monday, many senators said they hope to see Fletcher have a better working relationship with the legislature.

“Our last commissioner really didn’t meet with us at all for about 18 months and continually threw the legislature under the bus," said State Sen. Mike Wilson, R-Bowling Green.

Wilson sponsored legislation last session to make the commissioner subject to Senate approval. Fletcher appeared Friday in front of the education committee to share his goals for Kentucky students.

“I think the confirmation process was phenomenal because you kind of lay the groundwork," Fletcher said. "This is the expectation of the Senate; this is who they’re getting. We didn’t agree on everything, but they respected my opinion on a lot of items."

Majority Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, said he hopes to see student needs placed above the needs of anyone else.

“We need to be considerate of these kids and the education they are getting and the best education possible, not this woke, left-wing mantra that has been driven by the (Kentucky Education Association) and in large part by the Board of Education," Thayer said.

Fletcher said his biggest goal is using formulative assessments to improve the state’s low math and reading scores by identifying and meeting each child’s need.

“I want to make sure your child is safe, make sure they’re well-educated and, most importantly, make sure they’re loved," Fletcher said.

Fletcher also expressed his support for the state’s budget for education, calling it the best he has seen. He is a lifelong Kentuckian and began teaching in 1996.

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