Ky. edu. commissioner likely chosen Wednesday

With an intense background check of finalist Stephen Pruitt in hand, the Kentucky Board of Education is widely expected to vote Wednesday to name the Achieve Inc. executive as Kentucky's next education commissioner.

The board has scheduled a 2:30 p.m. special meeting Wednesday in its board room in Frankfort to discuss and possibly vote to make an offer of employment to Pruitt.

The board will go into closed session to review Pruitt's background check, for which the state paid thousands of dollars, before coming back into open session to consider a motion to authorize board Chairman Roger Marcum to make an offer of employment and negotiate terms for the Bluegrass State's next commissioner of education.

Pruitt 'likely' next Ky. education chief

The open parts of the meeting will be webcast.

Pruitt was named as the lone finalist for the state's top education gig after the other finalist, Christopher Koch, abruptly dropped out of consideration.

Pruitt, who has apparently indicated to the board that he would accept the commissioner position if offered it, is senior vice president with nonpartisan education reform organization Achieve Inc.

He has worked at Achieve since 2010, where he's been senior vice president since 2013. During his time there, he helped lead the development of the Next Generation Science Standards, which Kentucky teachers began implementing last school year.

He previously worked in the Georgia Department of Education, serving in a number of roles, including chief of staff and associate state superintendent. He holds a doctorate in chemistry education from Auburn University.

It is not clear when Pruitt would start if he is offered, and accepts, the position. Interim education commissioner Kevin Brown is heading the Kentucky Department of Education until a new leader is chosen. Former commissioner Terry Holliday, who held the position for about six years, retired at the end of August.

Reporter Allison Ross can be reached at (502) 582-4241. Follow the Courier-Journal’s education team on Facebook at Facebook.com/SchooledCJ.