By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-950840.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The search for the next Fayette County Public Schools superintendent involves a dilemma similar to one addressed by the presidential search committee at the University of Kentucky.
The issue debated by the UK presidential search committee over the past several weeks centered on candidate confidentiality. And Fayette County Board of Education Chairman John Price says that's likely to be a factor in the superintendent search as well.
"Not everybody who is applying for the job necessarily wants the fact that they're applying for the job to be public information because they may not be the person who is selected and they'll want to continue having a good working relationship with their current board of education."
The university will likely keep the names of all job finalists under wraps until the Board of Trustees announces its choice for president.
Price says the school district, however, will expect its finalists to participate in public forums.
"The community's need to know is a very high priority."
Four finalists were announced during the school district's most recent superintendent search in 2004. Each of those candidates already had high profile jobs, but all were willing to have his or her name released as part of the hiring process. Fayette County Public Schools ultimately picked Stu Silberman, who announced he will retire in July.