Fletcher confirmed by Kentucky Senate as next Education Commissioner – Kentucky Teachers

(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Senate has confirmed Dr. Robbie Fletcher as the Commonwealth’s next Education Commissioner.

After meeting with the Senate Education Committee on April 12, the Kentucky Senate approved Fletcher's nomination on April 15.

“I am honored and humbled to serve as Kentucky's new education commissioner on July 1,” Fletcher said. “I am grateful for the Senate’s confidence in my abilities and my desire to accomplish great things for our students, educators, families, and everyone in our Commonwealth. Strengthening Kentucky’s public schools. As I continue, I plan to take the same “all hands on deck” approach I took when I served as Superintendent of Lawrence County Schools. ”

This is the first time commissioner nominees have gone through the legislative approval process since lawmakers passed Senate Bill 107 in 2023.

Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) Chairwoman Sharon Porter Robinson praised Fletcher as the perfect candidate for the role.

“We solicited feedback from many Kentucky educators throughout the process, and Fletcher exemplified all of the qualities we were looking for,” Robinson said. “Throughout his life as a teacher and school administrator, Fletcher has demonstrated the qualities of an ambassador and statesman, a professional educational leader, and a visionary innovator. I look forward to seeing her serve as commissioner for all public schools.”

As chief executive officer of the state's schools and chief executive officer of the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), the Secretary recommends and implements KBE policies and supports KDE in the administration of the state's 171 public school districts, the Kentucky School for the Deaf, and the Kentucky School for the Deaf. is conducting. schools for the blind and 50 state-run regional technical centers;

Fletcher has served as Lawrence County's superintendent since 2014. Previously, he served as principal of Sheldon Clark High School (Martin County) from 2009 to 2014 and principal of Warfield Middle School (Martin County) from 2005 to 2009. He began his career as a math and science teacher in 1996 and became assistant principal at Innes Middle School (Martin County) in 2004.

Mr. Fletcher has worked with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) in a variety of ways as a school administrator.

Mr. Fletcher also has experience working with state legislators as a member of the School Funding Task Force in 2021 and with the U.S. Department of Education as chair of the Appalachian Regional Advisory Committee.

Fletcher earned his doctorate and superintendent certification from Morehead State University. He earned his master's degree in education from the University of Kentucky in 2002 and his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Morehead State University in 1996.

Fletcher will take up his post on July 1st.