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Education Commissioner Lewis Resigns; Courts Allow Beshear Board Reorg To Stand

AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner

Wayne Lewis has resigned as the state’s top education official.

At a special meeting Thursday, members of the newly-formed Kentucky Board of Education accepted Lewis’ voluntary conditional resignation – agreeing to give him 120 days pay plus health benefits. The ouster, effective immediately, completes a campaign promise by Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to reshape the board if elected.

The move comes despite a challenge by ten of the eleven voting members of the former board seeking to halt the meeting. Both the state Court of Appeals and the Kentucky Supreme Court denied the board members a temporary injunction, which would have pressed pause on Beshear’s reorganization order.

In the meantime, the KBE has selected Kentucky Department of Education Associate Commissioner Robin Kinney as its acting education commissioner through December 18. On that date, Kevin Brown will take over as interim commissioner while the board begins a search for a permanent replacement.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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