FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Commissioner of Education has resigned following the new governor's overhaul of the state board of education.
Wayne Lewis was appointed by former Gov. Matt Bevin to lead the Kentucky Board of Education. Following Bevin's loss in the gubernatorial election, Andy Beshear, who ran on an education first platform, immediately terminated all board members and replaced them. The decision did not sit well with current board members who announced immediately that they would sue.
Following judge after judge ruling against their request for an injunction, Lewis resigned in a closed door session on Thursday. When the board members returned to the session, Lewis was gone.
Ky board of ed back from long recess. Just sitting here. No one speaking. Empty seat was occupied by commissioner Lewis this morning. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/WGT96PJ5lg
— Michael Berk (@LEX18_Michael) December 12, 2019
"I have a contract with the Kentucky Board of Education, which provides the board with the ability to terminate me without cause," Lewis initally told LEX 18. "If they do, there are guidelines that the board would have to follow, including I'd have to have at least 90 days prior written notice."
A compromise had appeared to have been reached in the meeting with board members voting to extend Lewis' compensation of 120 days salary and benefits.
Lewis and the Kentucky Educational Association had long been at odds over teacher protests in the Capitol and whether or not teachers had violated the law by creating a work stoppage.
His resignation is effective immediately. Robin Kinney will serve in the interim.
