Newton Parrish Elementary School principal Steve Bratcher has been named the new Owensboro Public Schools Chief Academic Officer.
Bratcher will officially move into the new role effective July 1 but will work closely with interim CAO Anita Burnette to prepare for the transition.
“I was really interested in the position to bring a different perspective to how our district approaches education at all levels, not only at the elementary level,” Bratcher said. “There is a lot of knowledge and experience throughout the leadership in our district, including the principals in each of our schools. I look forward to this new challenge as our district continues a strong tradition of academic excellence.”
Bratcher has been with OPS for 27 years. During that time he has served as a classroom teacher at Cravens and Newton Parrish Elementary schools, as a curriculum facilitator at Cravens, and for the past 16 years as principal of Newton Parrish.
After so many years leading Newton Parrish, Bratcher is excited for a new challenge in a district leadership role.
“I’m excited to work with the team at Central Office,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside an incredible staff at Newton Parrish for the past 16 years and I know they will continue making great strides in that building, but I am excited to work more closely with the principals and curriculum facilitators across the entire district moving forward.”
In his new role, Bratcher will be responsible for providing oversight, support, and direction to the departments of curriculum, instruction, assessment, fine arts, digital learning, gap populations (including Federal title programs), and special education. The position provides direct support to school-level principals and responds to academic needs as well as provides coaching to school leaders. Bratcher said he will work in concert with the other chief officers to implement the overall district mission and vision.
“We interviewed several highly-qualified applicants for this position,” said OPS interim Superintendent Matthew Constant. “Mr. Bratcher’s track record of success as the leader of Newton Parrish, his collaborative leadership style, and his passion for addressing gap populations sets us on track for a successful future.”
