Two Finalists Shortlisted for Next JCPS Superintendent Role

Following an extensive monthslong search and after holding two days of private discussions, the Jefferson County Board of Education along with its selection committee revealed two candidates vying for the position of head at Jefferson County Public Schools. The contenders include Ben Shuldiner, who currently leads the Lansing School District in Michigan, and H. Brian Yearwood, a previous administrator from Columbia Public Schools in Missouri.

Shuldiner has led the Lansing School District, a school system of 10,000 students and 25 schools, since 2021. According to news reports, Shuldiner was a finalist for the position of leading the Clark County School District. In Las Vegas earlier this year, but did not make the cut.

A press statement released by JCPS spokesperson Mark Hebert highlights Shuldiner’s 25-year career in education along with notable improvements in graduation rates, attendance, enrollment, and reading scores within the Lansing School District.

H. Brian Yearwood led Columbia Public Schools, a educational network comprising 29,000 pupils , from 2021 Until he suddenly departed towards the close of last year. As reported by local media, Yearwood mentioned his intention to go back to Texas to be nearer to his relatives. he has since been announced as a finalist to lead two different school districts, one in Kansas and another in Delaware.

As stated in a JCPS press statement, Columbia Public Schools saw a substantial improvement in its ranking within the state's educational assessment framework during Yearwood’s tenure.

The finalists will participate in two live Q&As with the public on Tuesday, May 20, one of which will be livestreamed.

The board plans to cast their votes for the final candidate on May 22. When questioned regarding whether the public would get sufficient chances to provide input within two days, JCBE Chair Corrie Shull stated that the board is operating under a "strict schedule."

Shull stated that feedback will be gathered directly from the forums. Additionally, he mentioned that the district aims to develop a method for individuals to "provide digital responses" during these sessions.

Whoever is selected will replace outgoing JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio. Pollio is retiring at the end of June to become president of Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana’s public community college system. A former JCPS high school principal, Pollio rose through the ranks to the district’s top position in 2018. His departure arises as the district with 94,000 students confronts significant difficulties, including a dire teacher shortage , a beleaguered transportation system , a federal funding cliff and continuing conflicts with state Republican officials .

Shull described both finalists as "remarkable candidates" possessing an "impressive history of exceptionally effective leadership in their respective districts."

"They possess an extensive array of experiences that equip them to head a district like the Jefferson County Public Schools," Shull said to KyCIR on Tuesday evening.

Shull revealed the finalists at the Muhammad Ali Center on Tuesday evening, following two days of closed-door interviews conducted by both the board and a committee with six potential nominees.

In April, the board members reduced their pool of candidates to six individuals; however, they remained tight-lipped regarding the identities of the other applicants.

District 3 board member James Craig said the board was advised not to share the names or information about them.

"Since many of these candidates hold positions elsewhere globally… they might hesitate to apply for this high-profile role if their identities became known publicly and they didn’t make it as finalists," Craig said to KyCIR on Monday.

Craig wouldn't disclose the number of internal or external candidates who were shortlisted for the final group of six, nor did he reveal how many hailed from outside the state.

Tricia Lister, a District 2 board member, also mentioned that she was unable to disclose any details regarding the candidates, such as the number who were from within the organization, because of confidentiality issues.

The finalists come from a pool of 34 candidates who applied to be the district’s next superintendent, according to presentation materials from HYA, the Illinois-based search firm hired by the board.

As part of its recruitment activities, HYA said it reached out to 30 sitting superintendents in 19 states Who has experience guiding school districts bigger than 20,000 students. Out of these, ten such leaders have overseen districts exceeding 50,000 students.

According to a map provided by HYA, these potential candidates were reached out to in various locations throughout the country, encompassing regions such as California, Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Florida, the Carolinas, the mid-Atlantic area, and additional states.

HYA did not share whether any of those sitting superintendents applied or made the list of six finalists.

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The recruitment company mentioned that they garnered attention via ads in educational journals and by leveraging their own "network" consisting of over 70 education professionals.

The selection process narrowed down to six finalists was conducted from a pool of 34 applicants by both the JCBE and the Superintendent Screening Committee—a statutorily required panel comprising one board member, a non-teaching staff representative, along with one parent, two educators selected by their peers, and one school principal also elected within their peer group.

The chair of that committee is Jefferson County Teachers Association President Maddie Shepard.

A distinct, sizable team consisting of over 30 parents, faculty, educators, and individuals from both the school and broader communities as well as students constituted the Superintendent Search Advisory Committee. This group assisted in crafting the survey and pinpointing key attributes employed for selecting and evaluating potential candidates. Nevertheless, this advisory panel won’t have an active role in determining whom the board decides to appoint.

According to results from approximately 4,500 survey participants The community's top priorities include identifying a leader capable of boosting academic performance throughout the district, fostering teamwork, and addressing student conduct issues. Many teachers mention that managing these behaviors has grown increasingly challenging due to the pandemic.

Forum 1: May 20, 2025 (To be live-streamed and held in person)

4 PM – 6 PM

JP-CS Center for Professional Development

3903 Atkinson Square Dr.

Louisville, Ky. 40218

Forum 2: May 20, 2025 (In-person only)

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Stopher Elementary

14417 Aiken Rd.

Louisville, Ky. 40245