Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake will be leaving Owensboro Public Schools after the 2019 fall semester, but his career is far from over, he says. Leaving OPS was a decision he made “at the right time, with the right people in place to see things through,” he said.
Brake was in good spirits after announcing his decision, though he did say the choice to leave wasn’t easy. He had told the OPS board of his decision two weeks prior, and sent an email to all OPS staff right after Thursday’s board meeting.
“It’s always a hard decision, but I told the board back in 2013 that I was good for six years, and so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise to them,” Brake said. “I’m going to stay an extra semester because I’m going to see through iMiddle’s opening.”
Brake also wants to see through the transition his staff will take, as Chief Academic Officer Dr. Matthew Constant will take the helm as interim superintendent, pending an expected vote of approval by the board this fall.
“I think leaving the way I’m leaving, we will have a really good transition plan in place,” Brake said. “Having good principals is the bread and butter of this business, but we also have a good board — they take this seriously.”
Brake said he has great confidence in Constant to fill his shoes as superintendent, he said. In fact, Brake’s confidence in the OPS staff was one of the aspects that prompted him to make this decision right now.
“The time is right for me, and the time is right, I think, for our district,” Brake said. “That’s the best way to put it. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. It’s always best to leave when the time is right — when you feel like you can leave everything in a great place.”
Although conflicts between state representatives and educators has driven many teachers to reconsider an education career, Brake said his decision to leave wasn’t influenced by the ongoing tension.
Even if he isn’t quite certain where his career will take him next, Brake said he believes everything will work out.
“I just don’t know yet. I’ll be around here,” Brake said. “I do like public service. I’ve worked in economic development, I’ve worked in education. Somewhere in there is my sweet spot. I don’t know quite where I’ll end up yet, but give me some time, and I’ll figure it out.”
Jeremy Edge said OPS will reach out to Kentucky School Boards Association, who will help them get the process started in selecting a new superintendent. That process won’t start until March or April 2020, he said.
The superintendent contract has to be in place by July 1, 2020, so Edge said OPS is trying to stay ahead of the curve.
“We want to get on the front end of it. It gives us plenty of time — if there’s some people thinking about moving then we’ve got the best opportunity to find the best candidates,” Edge said.
Edge commended Brake’s six-year tenure as superintendent — from both financial and progressive standpoints.
“We’re spending $2,000 more a year per student. Our fund balance is up. The tax rate is effectively lower. Our ACT scores are higher, and our college readiness scores are higher,” Edge said. “We’re doing it all very fiscally responsible and, at the same time, our education is getting better. Everything we’re doing with all the buildings, the schools — it’s pretty incredible.”
As for Constant, he feels incredibly grateful that those on the OPS board have the confidence in him to take the reigns until a new superintendent is named.
“I am excited, blessed, humbled — all of the emotions right now,” Constant said. “I’m so appreciative of the board for considering me, even for the interim post.”
Before applying for the superintendent position, Constant said he’s going to use his interim superintendent experience to test the waters first.
“We’ll see if the job fits me and if I fit the job,” Constant said. “That’s what interim is really good for.”
