Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Monday, October 9, 2006

Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman, an avid cyclist, was in a bicycling accident on Huffman Mill Pike Sunday afternoon and has a broken pelvis and collarbone. His injuries are more extensive than would be expected from a bike accident and will require surgery. As of this morning, Silberman is still in the emergency room at the University of Kentucky Medical Center awaiting a room.

No word is available about when his surgery will be scheduled and no timeline on his recovery has been set. Mary Browning, the district’s Chief Operating Officer, and Lisa Stone, an Elementary Director with the district, will be filling in for the superintendent while he’s in the hospital. Matters needing the attention of the superintendent should be directed to his office.

A handful of staff and school board members visited with Silberman in the hospital Sunday and the superintendent’s first thoughts were about all the important work happening in the school district and his strong desire that his injury not slow the pace of progress in the Fayette County Public Schools.

Those who know Silberman are familiar with his commitment to return all emails within 24 hours, so while he’s healing, district leaders are asking the public’s help in keeping his email volume to a minimum. Get well wishes are best sent by postal mail for the time being.

Update: A special page has been added to the FCPS website allowing well-wishers to read and post messages to Stu: Send Stu your well wishes. 

We will continue to stay in close contact with the superintendent during his healing and keep the public updated on his progress.

“We are certainly praying for Stu’s speedy recovery,” said Fayette Board of Education Chairman Larry Conner. “Because of the great leadership team Stu has built – both at the district and school levels – the district will continue to move forward until he’s back on his feet.”