Kentucky Senate confirms Robbie Fletcher as next state education commissioner

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Veteran school administrator Robbie Fletcher won state Senate confirmation Monday to become Kentucky’s next education commissioner, taking on a lead role in managing a statewide school system that, based on test scores, is still recovering from pandemic-era setbacks.

Fletcher’s confirmation came three days after he discussed his education priorities and management style during an appearance before the Senate Education Committee. He stressed the need for schools to offer a safe environment where students are nurtured and provided a quality education.

“There’s no greater honor, there’s no greater trust, there’s no greater responsibility than when someone tells you: ‘I’m going to send my child to your school,’” Fletcher told the Senate panel.

The Republican-dominated Senate followed up by confirming Fletcher on a 36-1 vote on Monday — the last day of this year’s legislative session. Fletcher will assume the role of education commissioner after spending a decade as superintendent of Lawrence County schools in eastern Kentucky. He started his career as a math and science teacher before becoming an assistant principal and then a principal.

“I know that Dr. Fletcher is not one to fall back from a challenge, and I think that there is no doubt that the current state of education in the commonwealth of Kentucky presents such a challenge,” Republican state Sen. Phillip Wheeler said. “But I think that the Kentucky state Board of Education chose the right man for the job at the right time.”

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