LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — On Monday, members of the Fayette County Board of Education agreed to negotiate a contract with Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC. Their portfolio of searches includes the Fairfax County Public Schools, LA Unified School District and New York City Public Schools, higher education institutions including historically black colleges and universities, as well as three previous commissioner searches for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
“We were impressed with their experience and expertise as well as their eagerness and enthusiasm to partner with our district in facilitating an inclusive, transparent search process,” said Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy in a pres release. “And we are confident in their capacity to work with us and their demonstrated record of success.”
The board’s conversation centered on each firm’s commitment to involving the community in conversations about the attributes needed in the next FCPS leader, as well as its track record of recruiting a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates.
“We want to find someone who has a long term commitment to you and the vision you have,” said Susanne Griffin, Vice President and Managing Partner for Greenwood/Asher & Associates, in a press release. “Looking at all of your data, your district is on an upward trend all the way. You have great MAP results, your ACT scores are up – there’s a whole lot to build upon. It would be an exciting district for a new superintendent to step into. Someone who wants to build on the momentum would be a great match for you.”
The board is expected to approve a contract with Greenwood/Asher & Associates, which is a woman-owned firm, at the Fayette County Board of Education planning meeting on Thursday.
“We want to affirm the commitment of our entire board team to involve all stakeholders in this critical effort,” Murphy said. “Input from students, employees, families, and community members will be critical as we move forward.”
The public will have a voice in the development of a candidate profile through surveys and focus groups. Details on these opportunities and specific plans will be shared as the process unfolds.
