Wow, that was quick.
Jon Draud, the state’s Education Commissioner who was just given a glowing first-year evaluation, announced that he will give up the post in February, according to the C-J.
We just questioned the glowing evaluation last week. Draud’s tenure included a mini-controversy over his decision to choose a high-priced car, and more negative press for his request for extra sick days. He suffered a stroke in September that limited his ability to work. He is 70.
Wonder if he’s still going to buy back that car if it doesn’t sell on Ebay.
UPDATE: Governor Steve Beshear’s statement on Draud’s resignation:
“I want to thank Jon Draud for his distinguished career and longstanding commitment to public service in Kentucky, particularly our children. I also wish to extend to Jon my best wishes for his continued and full recovery. As this transition of leadership occurs, I look forward to working with the Board of Education as a new leader is chosen who will move Kentucky forward in our efforts to create the best educational system in America. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to reach that goal – for our children and for our state’s future.”
6 responses so far ↓
1 Novena // Dec 19, 2008 at 11:58 am
“I’m Your Man, State of KY”
$220K job, frequent travel, expensive car, quick-exit possibilities–too bad, Bobby F., it could’ve been another dream position for the ex-UofL dean and University Scholar. You always had KY school kids on your mind in every sweet deal or grant you touched. But, as equity and social justice would eventually have it, you’ll soon be teaching GED prep. to cons instead. Another cruel loss for KY.
2 Steve // Dec 19, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Oh noes!! Ernie Fletcher’s Kentucky Board of Education is going to get to appoint yet another fugitive from the 1950s to lead our schools into the past.
It’s high time to ponder the foremost obstacles to public education.
Contrary to popular myth, hoodies, trenchcoats, body piercings, tattoos, black nail polish and animated sitcoms on FOX are not the problem.
And tired old men will not advance a solution.
Message to the KBE: get it right this time.
3 Bimbeau // Dec 19, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Contrary to popular myth, hoodies, trenchcoats, body piercings, tattoos, black nail polish and animated sitcoms on FOX are not the problem.
They aren’t the solution either. Let’s return to a real liberal arts general basic education with Latin, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and REAL sciences insted of this social mumbo jumbo we’ve had in our educational institutions for the past 25 years of ‘trying to connect’ — only they won’t testify to what it is to which we are trying to connect – except for the fundies, and they are going in the wrong direction. They do so gladly since they can also see that our educational system is in chaos.
4 Republican // Dec 19, 2008 at 6:42 pm
While I’m truly sorry to see the one thing that Fletcher did that could have left a lasting effect now be undone, I just pray to God that we don’t get another Tom Boysen or Boysen clone to ruin — I mean run — our state’s educational system.
5 Steve // Dec 19, 2008 at 10:01 pm
In the spirit of peace and good will of the holiday season, I’ll withhold comment on the legacy of Ernie Fletcher.
6 Jinx // Dec 22, 2008 at 7:46 am
Oh you are so wrong Bimbeau! (mock horror voice). It is so much more important for our children to be tested on the parts of an Opera, ( never mind that they will never ever in their lifetime see one in real life) than to participate in their own musical at their school.
Because we all know that life is about taking “un”standardized tests than actually participating in it.
But satire aside, we have a whole generation of students that have never actually participated in the arts because their teachers have ordered by Principals to only prepare kids to take the CATS test.
Somewhere along the line education in Kentucky was replaced by preparing for CATS in the Kentucky Schools. Please, can someone tell the edutestacrats to put someone in charge that has a clue about what a real education is.
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