The least embarrassing candidate was picked to head Kentucky schools, it seems.

Terry Holliday was just named commissioner.

A North Carolina school district superintendent was chosen Friday as Kentucky’s new education chief responsible for leading efforts to reform testing and academic standards.

Terry Holliday, 58, superintendent of the Iredell-Statesville Public Schools was named commissioner after the Kentucky Board of Education met in Frankfort for final deliberations on four finalists. Holliday will start Aug. 5. He will earn $225,000 annually through a four-year contract.

The selection is viewed as crucial because the state will face a number of changes in education over the next few years, including the creation of a new testing and accountability system, new academic standards and possible changes to the Kentucky Education Reform Act.

Here’s hoping he doesn’t throw money around like Jon Draud. And that he does right by Kentucky.

Based on everything we’ve heard about him – despite not being a Kentuckian – we just may be in good hands. And he just might be worth that $225K salary.

UPDATE @ 11:30:

Here’s the Governor’s statement on the new commissioner:

“I met with Dr. Holliday this morning to discuss one of my administration’s highest priorities — the education of our children. I was impressed with his commitment to and passion for education and I look forward to working with him. I appreciate the Board of Education’s diligent work over these last months while searching for a new education commissioner. Dr. Holliday is a very capable and distinguished educator and administrator. I welcome him to Kentucky where he will work with some of the best classroom instructors and school administrators in the nation.”