Ten people have applied to be the next Owensboro Public Schools superintendent, and all of them are in-state applicants. The review process began Thursday evening and the goal is to announce the selection by April 8.
Quinn Sutton, one of the Kentucky School Board Association’s superintendent search consultants, discussed the applicants and selection process on Thursday during a joint meeting of the OPS Board of Education and screening committee. The application process was open from August 28-January 1.
Quinn said 12 people initially showed interest in the position but only 10 completed an application.
Of those, 8 are men and 2 are women. The applicants’ current roles include 2 superintendents, 4 central office employees, 1 principal, 2 teachers, and 1 person who is retired.
The details about the applicants are kept private during the screening and review process.
The board has asked the committee to provide 3 recommendations, listed in alphabetical order rather than being ranked. The board laid out the criteria for the committee to look for as follows:
- Be an innovative and motivational leader with strong proven leadership and a record of improving student achievement
- Have administrative experience and be an instructional leader who is committed to college and career readiness
- Be a leader who will work with staff, families, and the community to cultivate a welcoming and safe learning environment for our students — This will require effective communication skills, curriculum-orientation, creation of high expectations, and visibility in our schools and community
- Possess characteristics of honesty and integrity
- Knowledge of budgeting, school finances, buildings and grounds, as well as a working knowledge of the Kentucky Education System are required
The screening committee includes the following members:
- Dr. Jeremy Luckett, OPS board chair
- Cortney Cliff, principal (elected by district principals)
- Katy Harrison, teacher (elected by district teachers)
- Kip Walters, teacher (elected by district teachers)
- Chequero Cobb, classified staff (elected by district classified staff)
- Ashlie Hurley, parent (elected by the presidents of the schools’ PTOs)
Quinn said Kentucky statute requires the appointment of a screening committee, which will provide recommendations regarding who the school board should consider naming as superintendent. However, he noted the board is not bound by the committee, meaning the board does not necessarily have to choose one of the recommended applicants.
The first screening committee meeting was held immediately following the joining meeting with the school board on Thursday. In their first meeting, the committee is tasked with opening the applications, determining applicant and reference check questions, and understanding the procedure for initial screening.
Their second meeting, to be held on January 18, will involve choosing applicants for background and reference checks along with beginning those checks. Their third meeting, to be held on February 8, will be to develop a list of candidates to recommend to the board.
In another joint meeting with the school board on February 22, the screening committee will present their recommendations. The board will interview candidates on February 23-24.
The board’s goal is to name a superintendent on or before April 8.
In the meantime, Anita Burnette will continue to serve as interim superintendent until the board hires someone.
Constant was first suspended from his position with pay in May 2023, and the board began the process of terminating him in June 2023. He was arrested on July 27, 2023, by Kentucky State Police and charged with two Class D felonies. For the latest on that case, click here.
