Lawrence County Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher sailed through his Senate confirmation — with only one nay vote, from Fayette County Republican Donald Douglas. Many supporters pointed to Fletcher's strong roots in Kentucky, with Sen. Stephen West likening the now-commissioner to UK's new men's basketball coach.
"I believe he may be the Mark Pope of Kentucky education. He knows the program and he will be returning to the program," West said. "He's been a lifelong Kentuckian... knows the problems, knows the positives..."
Several lawmakers contrasted Fletcher's style with that of the previous top education official, Jason Glass, who drew the ire of the right over his vocal opposition to legislation passed in the 2023 session. One senator accused Glass of "continually throwing the legislature under the bus."
Explaining his departure last year, Glass described Senate Bill 150 — a wide-ranging bill tightening school rules surrounding transgender students, alongside other provisions — as "dangerous and unconstitutional."
Fletcher has struck a collaborative tone in his public meetings with lawmakers, who have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the communication between previous occupants of the office and the legislature.
As for what to expect, the newly-minted commissioner said, "On that day one is a couple messages: Let's look at organizational effectiveness but also too let's also look at are we truly serving the people that are there."
Fletcher officially takes over the top job on July 1.
