In Kentucky, a state where local school board members hire the superintendent, there are 171 public school districts, but just six Black superintendents.
The biggest challenge for Black educators in Kentucky who seek superintendent positions is the lack of opportunity, said Tony Watts of Newport Independent Schools, Greg Ross of Danville Independent Schools and Cornelius Faulkner, who retired last year as Superintendent of Caverna Independent Schools.
“We have six Black superintendents in Kentucky. When we apply for jobs, we have to ask ourselves if we truly have a chance of getting a job in that district,” Watts said in an email. “There are districts in KY that wouldn’t hire a Black person to be superintendent. It’s unfortunate, but we still have people who think that way.”
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