Superintendent of Schools

FAYETTE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Invites Applications and Nominations for the Position of: Superintendent of Schools

The Opportunity

The Fayette County Board of Education is accepting nominations and applications for the next superintendent of the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS). The Board is seeking an individual who shares its commitment to putting the interests of students first and ensuring that each child is prepared for college and career, engaged fully in their communities, and ready to excel in a global society. The administration of the school system, in all of its aspects, is delegated to the superintendent, who carries out administrative functions in accordance with the policies adopted by the Board and relevant state law. The execution of all decisions made by the Board concerning the internal operation of the school system falls to the superintendent, who serves as the executive officer of the school district and secretary to the Board. Together, the five-member Board, the superintendent, and the district office are responsible for setting standards for student, program, and operational performance, while respecting the local School-Based Decision Making autonomy of each school. 

About Fayette County Public Schools

Serving more than 42,000 students from the Lexington-Fayette Metro Area, Fayette County Public Schools is the second largest district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and every decision made – from the boardroom to the classroom – is based on doing what is best for all of our students. Our 70 schools and special programs provide world-class offerings for children in preschool through 12th grade and serve 90% of school-aged children in Fayette County. Known throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky for high achieving students, exemplary staff, engaged families, and involved community members, our students and employees repeatedly earn state and national accolades in academic, athletic, and professional arenas. Often called the “Horse Capital of the World,” Lexington is a vibrant, diverse, and rapidly growing community of about 330,000 residents that serves as the health care, education, retail, and cultural center for the Bluegrass region. While the University of Kentucky and Fayette County Public Schools are the two largest employers in the county, citizens also enjoy strong employment opportunities in government, education, health care, retail trade, manufacturing, equine-related businesses, professional services, and construction. Anchored by the state’s flagship university, Lexington boasts 10 colleges and universities within 40 miles. The U.S. Census Bureau ranks Fayette County as the 12th most highly educated community in the nation based on the percentage of the population holding at least a bachelor’s degree, and 11th for the number of residents with a graduate or professional degree. This educational attainment contributes to a passion about our public schools, and our families, business community, faith partners, and civic leaders demand a standard of excellence. Students who graduate from FCPS receive more than just a high school diploma. When families choose our schools, they are choosing an experience designed to equip their children to excel in whatever future they can imagine for themselves. Focused on our mission, guided by our core values, and committed to equity, our purpose – captured in the system’s “Portrait of a Graduate” – is to ensure that every student who enters the doors of the Fayette County Public Schools exits as a graduate who is academically prepared, college and career ready, civically engaged, culturally competent, and equipped for the future. Our schools offer an engaging and relevant curriculum that goes beyond the core to build on students’ interests and abilities. Experiences in art, music, health, wellness, world languages, and social emotional learning are all part of educating the whole child. FCPS augments the offerings in traditional schools with a mix of 15 stand-alone programs and more than 20 magnet, gifted and talented, or specialized programs housed within schools designed to meet the diverse learning needs of our students. In partnership with local business leaders, FCPS has begun the work of transforming our high schools by creating The Academies of Lexington – smaller learning communities organized around student career interests aligned to future employment opportunities such as medicine, information technology, professional services and leadership, engineering, manufacturing, and robotics.

Student enrollment in district has grown from 37,575 in 2010-11 to 41,462 this year. Thanks to generous support from our local community in 2007 for a 5-cent property tax dedicated to facilities improvement, the district has not only been able to build new schools to keep up with enrollment increases, but also invest in modernization and replacement of existing schools. In 2018, the community again recognized a need and backed a 5-cent property tax to generate $13.3 million annually to support a comprehensive approach to school safety. Since then, FCPS has hired 57 mental health professionals, added full-time nurses in every high school, expanded its police force, implemented a K-12 social emotional learning curriculum, built secure vestibules at 28 schools, contracted for social media monitoring, issued and began requiring photo IDs for all staff and students at the middle and high school level, added metal detectors and security ambassadors in every high school, and installed exterior door alarms, security cameras, and electronic door access throughout the district.

Interpersonal Competencies:

Leaders in the district believe in the importance of collaboration, soliciting input from all community members and stakeholders, and using their insights and perspectives to help all students achieve at the highest level. In return, families, civic leaders, and the business community are deeply supportive of the district and are committed to working side-by-side with district leaders to create a positive learning environment where every student can succeed. The incoming superintendent must have the ability to work collaboratively with the Fayette County Board of Education; provide effective, positive leadership to teachers, staff members, and administrators; and become the district’s ambassador within the community. The new superintendent must bring a strong managerial background and demonstrate the ability to address complex issues in a strategic, yet innovative manner.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the field of education from a college or university approved by the Department of Education
• Experience as a leader in an urban district or a district of similar size, scope, and demographics
• Experience as a teacher and building level leader/or district administrator with evidence of effective instructional leadership
• Demonstrated leadership experience supported by measurable accomplishments that reflect growing levels of achievement for all students Hold or qualify for certification as a superintendent in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Preferred Qualifications:

• D. or Ed.D. in the field of education
• Experience as a superintendent

Nomination and Application Process

Salary

The position is a full-time, 12-month, administrative position. Compensation for this position is expected to be in the range of $235,000-$285,000 with additional benefits as part of the full compensation package.  Additional compensation may be considered for a qualified and preferred candidate.

How to apply

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC is assisting Fayette County Public Schools in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. For a full application package, please provide a cover letter, CV, and list of five references. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC. Submission of application materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

               As required by federal law, Fayette County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, political affiliation, religion, veteran status, or disability in its programs and activities on school property and off school grounds during school-sponsored activities, and provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. In addition, the district does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to:

• Betty Turner Asher Founder, Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC Vice President & Managing Partner, Kelly Email: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com
• Susanne Griffin Vice President & Managing Director Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC Email: susannegriffin@greenwoodsearch.com
• Ann Bailey Senior Executive Search Consultant Greenwood/Asher & Associates, LLC Email: annbailey@greenwoodsearch.com

For more information about Fayette County Public Schools, please visit: https://www.fcps.net.