LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools has begun negotiations to select its next superintendent.

By a 5-2 vote, the school board approved an unnamed candidate, pending a signed contract. The two candidates up for the position are Brian Yearwood and Brian Shuldiner.

“We’re all seven individuals, and, we all, we did not all feel the same way. And I think that’s actually healthy. That’s what the community wants is for us to all of our own thoughts,” said Taylor Everett, a member of the JCPS Board of Education. 

Board members Linda Duncan and Everett voted against the negotiations. 

“The candidate [who] was chosen clearly shows that they care for children and that they have, even though it may not be my group, they have lots of groups in this community that wanted them to be the superintendent, and those things stood out to obviously, the majority of the board members,” Everett said. 

Current superintendent Marty Pollio retires July 1.

“I think both of these men showed incredible fortitude for what they went through. I also think the process that we went through, I really think it was very good, and we try to listen to as many voices as we can and whoever does take this job, I truly think it’s going to be great for this district,” Everett said.

There is no sign of how long the negotiations will take and when an announcement will be made about who the new superintendent will be.

Pollio will become the next president of the Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana.