Owensboro Public Schools is nearing the end of its search for a new superintendent, and some community members have spoken in favor of a potential candidate that they think is a good fit for the district.
OPS Board of Education Chair Dr. Jeremy Luckett said the board does not plan to release any candidates’ names before announcing the new superintendent.
“The process, in and of its nature, is supposed to be a confidential process. But also, maybe [the candidates] applied for another job, maybe they currently have a job, and so we don’t want to put it out there that they’ve applied for this job,” Luckett said.
Luckett did confirm they have three finalists who visited the district earlier this month, saying the screening committee recommended all three candidates to the board.
Luckett said the board additionally conducted an on-site interview with each finalist, and the three candidates met with principals and central office staff during their visits.
“The reason we did that is because we wanted to get input from those individuals about what they thought about the candidates,” Luckett said.
Olga McKissic, Executive Director of the Western Academy at the Neblett, said she learned of a potential candidate after the person was seen while touring OPS, and she is confident they would be a good fit as superintendent.
“He’s made tough decisions, and in the environment that we are in and going into, we need somebody who has the experience and is not afraid to make tough decisions,” McKissic said.
Though she did not name the candidate, McKissic said she supports them due to their current position and the experience they have shown thus far, citing the person’s history in leading a system with diverse backgrounds.
“We need somebody here that can handle this district with all of the complexities it’s had in the past. Someone who has the experience and knows how to deal with a district like this, [regardless of their race]. We need someone that fits that description,” McKissic said.
Luckett said they welcome input from all community members on the selection process. Before the candidates made site visits, Luckett said, the board requested questions regarding what the public wanted answered by the candidates.
Luckett noted the board has undergone an “exhaustive, extensive process” to find the right candidate.
“We’ve requested essentially extensive background checks on individuals. Given what we have been through as a district, we want to make sure that there are no surprises in the backgrounds of the people we are considering to be the next superintendent,” Luckett said.
Luckett said the screening committee conducted extensive searches into each candidate, including calling references, completing background checks, and evaluating past positions.
Confidential sources have provided Owensboro Times with three names as the potential finalists, but OPS officials would not confirm if those names were accurate so we have chosen not to reveal them at this time.
In 2013, OPS held a forum allowing the community to meet candidates for the open superintendent position. Among the candidates was Dr. Nick Brake, who was later named to the position.
In 2020, the district did not reveal information on any of the candidates before naming Dr. Matthew Constant to the position.
Luckett said they are trying to follow the same practice this year of only announcing the new superintendent and no other finalists.
“We’re trying to walk that fine line of keeping it somewhat confidential, but at the same time, trying to get input from as many stakeholders as we can,” Luckett said.
He said they still plan to name the next superintendent on or before April 8.
