Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, June 07, 2011

Lu Young, current superintendent in Jessamine County, is one of three finalists for the top job in Fayette County Public Schools. (Photo: Tammy L. Lane)

Jessamine County’s Lu Young was the first of three superintendent finalists to make the rounds in Fayette County Public Schools, which will soon select a successor to Stu Silberman.

In a public forum Tuesday in Norsworthy Auditorium, KET news anchor Renee Shaw interviewed Young with nearly 20 questions submitted by the community, and the candidate shared her thoughts on a range of topics in the 40-minute session, which was taped by Channel 13.*

Young commended FCPS for its gifted and talented services and magnet schools, and she emphasized the value of alternative programs for students better served in a smaller environment. She also pointed out how extracurricular activities, wellness and nutrition initiatives are vital to a well-rounded child and how effective technology can be in the classroom, saying, “Technology becomes the playing-field leveler for many of our students.”

Young said she has deep convictions about providing a diverse staff so that children will see someone who looks like them in their school. And in the area of assessment, “I have a healthy respect for large-scale state accountability,” she said, along with a desire that testing data help teachers tailor instruction to individual students’ needs.

Young noted the commitment of community partners here with strong ties to the school district, as well as the need to find authentic ways to get families actively on board with their children’s education. She also praised the current leadership in FCPS for the good stewardship that has put the district on sound financial footing.

After a day spent touring the district and meeting with stakeholders, Young said it was clear that FCPS has high expectations for learning and harnesses its resources for the kids’ best interests, whether upgrading schools, building “green” facilities or providing competitive teacher salaries.

No matter who is chosen as the new superintendent, “you are poised and ready to take the district to the next level,” she said.

After the forum and dinner, Young interviewed with the Fayette County Board of Education. Earlier in the day, she had met with some 200 employees, students, parents and community members. She also took questions from the media in an afternoon news conference.

As to why she wants the job, Young said she was intrigued by the possibility of drawing on her years of experience to contribute to FCPS’ success. “It matches my skill set, and it’s one of those challenges I’d really like to tackle,” she said.

Young recalled how the focus groups reiterated the trends of strong family involvement and rigorous academics, and said she would strive to maintain the district’s positive momentum.

One hurdle she predicted was preparing everyone for implementation of Kentucky’s new state standards. “You’ve got to make those transitions work for real kids in real schools,” she said.

Young described herself as a hands-on leader who likes to develop relationships, whether through conversations in the local grocery, emails or social networking.

“I hope there is a genuine accessibility about me,” she said. “I want people to know me and call me ‘Lu.’”

On the air

* Channel 13 will replay Lu Young’s news conference at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday, and her public forum at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday. For those without access to cable, Channel 13 programming streams live.

Bio highlights

Lu Young

• Current position: Jessamine County superintendent
• Age: 51
• Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in Spanish from Eastern Kentucky University, principal and superintendent certifications from the University of Kentucky, currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at Northern Kentucky University
• Experience: Nearly three decades in education, including 13 years as a teacher, one year as an assistant principal, two years as curriculum director, four years as assistant superintendent for curriculum and the past seven years as superintendent
• Family: Married, two children

Coming up

The other finalists are Daviess County’s Tom Shelton, who interviews Wednesday, and Clark County’s Elaine Farris, who interviews Thursday. The Fayette County school board members will then begin deliberations early Friday.

Share your impressions

Everyone is welcome to submit comments about the finalists by emailing superinput@fayette.kyschools.us. Messages will be forwarded to the school board.