KBE names three finalists for Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Associate Editor

FRANKFORT — Lawrence County School Superintendent Robbie Fletcher, Ed.D was named as one of the three finalists in the search for Kentucky’s next Commissioner of Education during a meeting of Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) The Interview Committee voted to recommend three candidates as finalists in the search.

The finalists were interviewed in Louisville on March 18-19. A new commissioner should be named and submitted to the Kentucky Senate by the end of the month.

Fletcher serves as the superintendent of Lawrence County Schools and has held that position since July of 2014.

Before that time, he served as a part time faculty member at Asbury University, and as principal, assistant principal and mathematics teacher in Martin County.

Fletcher earned his doctorate in education and a superintendency certification from Morehead State University, a master’s in supervision and administration from the University of Kentucky, and a bachelor’s in mathematics from Morehead State University.

Two other candidates were named as finalists as well. They are Buddy Berry, Ed.D Superintendent of Eminence Independent Schools and Jim Flynn, Ed.D, who is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents.

KBE retained McPherson & Jacobson LLC in December of 2023 to lead the search for the next commissioner. The firm has placed more than 750 superintendents and other officials in public and nonprofit organizations across the county.

Robin Fields Kinney is currently serving as interim Commissioner of Education until a new commissioner is named. Kinney is not considered a candidate for the permanent position.