Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Tuesday, June 7, 2011

FCPS again hosts one of Kentucky’s best superintendents to interview for the top post in Fayette County Public Schools.

Throughout Wednesday, Daviess County Superintendent Tom Shelton will meet with nearly 200 employees, students, parents and community representatives. A big thank-you to all those who agreed to represent their peers and provide the Board of Education with feedback throughout the interview process. Their commitment is a testament to the public investment in the school district.

At 3 p.m., Shelton will meet with members of the media. The news conference will air live on Channel 13 and replay at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. Thursday. For those without access to cable, Channel 13 programming streams live.

At 5:30 p.m., everyone is welcome to attend a public forum in Norsworthy Auditorium at the school district’s 701 East Main St. office. KET news anchor Renee Shaw will interview Shelton with questions submitted by the community. The forum will be taped and aired at 7 p.m. Wednesday and at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday on Channel 13.

The Fayette County Board of Education encourages all stakeholders to submit their comments about each finalist. All emails to superinput@fayette.kyschools.us will be automatically forwarded to the five school board members.

FCPS is posting a brief bio on each candidate the day they visit the community. Thank you for your interest and participation in this important process.

Tom Shelton

• Current post: Daviess County Public Schools superintendent
• Age: 47
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, master’s degree in business administration, and a Rank I in educational administration from Murray State University; doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of Louisville; graduate certificate program in executive educational leadership from Harvard University
• Experience: Sixteen years in educational leadership, including three years as director of business and finance, six years as assistant superintendent for finance and operations, and the past seven years as superintendent
• Family: Married with two children

Why do you want to be the next superintendent of the Fayette County Public Schools?

"Fayette County Public Schools has grown tremendously under the leadership of Stu Silberman.  In my opinion, the district will continue to grow if led by a superintendent who shares the same vision and philosophy, one who truly believes 'It’s about kids.' While Stu and I have different management styles, we have the same vision, philosophy and beliefs. This is a rare opportunity to assure that during the next administration, the district vision could continue and expand. I am committed, focused and passionate about improving learning for all students and would be thrilled to lead Fayette County to the next level of excellence.

"I have many friends and much family in the Lexington area, including my oldest daughter, Abby, who is a junior at Georgetown College and who will soon be joined in the area by her younger sister, Audrey, who will be attending UK.  Both intend to make the Lexington area their home after college. Also, I have grown to love the area and all of its opportunities and resources. It would be an honor to be the superintendent of a school system that I believe can be the best in the nation and enjoy the comforts of being near my family and friends, even getting to be the superintendent of the school system that some of my nieces and nephews will attend."

What is your vision for our school district?

"Most times a change in leadership means a change in vision. Sometimes, the old vision and the new vision are so divergent that the organization struggles to maintain its direction and focus. I believe the job of the leader is to lead the constituencies to collaboration in the establishment or refinement of a vision for their organization not to come in to put their own vision in place.

"In the spring of 2005, the community of Lexington came together to help 'change the face of education in Fayette County.' A vision was put in place to ensure every student in the Fayette County Public Schools receives a world-class education. As has been indicated, I spent nine years working with Mr. Silberman and then succeeding him for the past seven years developing and leading a similar vision for the students in Daviess County. I would be blessed to have the opportunity to collaborate with the community to lead the district to its next levels and ensure continuity of the vision. All stakeholders would be part of the process of monitoring and refining the vision to make sure the students of Fayette County are prepared to succeed for life."