Kentucky Department of Education

News Release 10-037 - July 22, 2010

            (FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is embarking on a new model of organization that is designed to make the agency more streamlined and efficient and to help provide services more effectively.

This reorganization proposal delineates a model that focuses on next-generation learners; next-generation schools and districts; support and services for all the agency's constituents; information and data services; and more. KDE began operating under this new structure on Monday, July 19, and an executive order from the Governor’s Office formalizing the new organization will be forthcoming.

            “This proposed reorganization addresses two major issues,” said Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday. “First, this model will incur annual cost savings of approximately $500,000 in salaries with the elimination of higher-level positions and increase the efficiency of the agency. Second, this model enables the agency to directly address priorities related to Senate Bill 1 and other legislative mandates, Kentucky’s Race to the Top application and the Kentucky Board of Education’s strategic plan.”

The highlights of this model include:

·         a structure that provides more direct reporting to the commissioner of education from KDE offices

·         a logical distribution of programs, projects and teams based upon KDE’s core, guiding and support processes

·         grouping of efforts that address common activities and issues

 

The proposed organizational hierarchy is as follows:

·         The current structure of eight offices is streamlined to six offices, with a primary focus on the Kentucky Board of Education’s strategic priorities.

·         The number of operational divisions in KDE also is reduced by a third due to consolidation and redirection of strategic priorities.

·         Some office, division and branch names have been changed to reflect the changes in priorities and work.

 

The organizational listing below gives more specifics about the makeup of offices, divisions and branches.

Although office names have changed, and individuals within the agency may be assigned to new areas, KDE’s mission is the same: to prepare all Kentucky students for next-generation learning, work and citizenship by engaging schools, districts, families and communities through excellent leadership, service and support.

The proposed new organizational model will enable the agency to target the areas of greatest importance and provide the services schools and districts need to ensure student success, while complying with additional budget reductions required by the biennial budget shortfall.

 

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

ORGANIZATIONAL LISTING

 

Commissioner’s Office

Terry Holliday, Ph.D.

 

Office of Guiding Support Services/General Counsel

Kevin Brown, Associate Commissioner 

Division of Communications and Community Engagement

Lisa Gross, Director 

Division of District 180

Sally Sugg, Director 

Division of Innovation and Partner Engagement

David Cook, Director

 

Office of Administration and Support

Hiren Desai, Associate Commissioner 

Division of Budget and Financial Management

Charles Harman, Director 

Division of Resource Management

Lynn McGowan-McNear, Director 

Division of District Support

Kay Kennedy, Director 

Division of School and Community Nutrition

Denise Hagan, Director

 

Office of Knowledge, Information and Data Services

David Couch, Associate Commissioner 

Division of Engineering and Management

Mike Leadingham, Director 

Division of Operations and Services

Phil Coleman, Director

 

Office of Next-Generation Schools and Districts

Larry Stinson, Associate Commissioner 

Division of Consolidated Plans and Audits

Debbie Hicks, Director 

Division of Next-Generation Professionals

Michael Dailey, Director

 

Office of Assessment and Accountability

Ken Draut, Associate Commissioner 

Division of Assessment Design and Implementation

Kevin Hill, Director 

Division of Support and Research

Rhonda Sims, Director

 

Office of Next-Generation Learners

Felicia Cumings-Smith, Associate Commissioner 

Division of Program Standards

Michael Miller, Director 

Division of Learning Services

Larry Taylor, Director 

Division of Early Childhood

Annette Bridges, Director

 

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