LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After a month’s long search, we now know the two finalists being considered to replace Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio.
Ben Shuldiner and Brian Yearwood were chosen as finalists through a nationwide search. The decision came Tuesday, May 6, after the school board and its search firm interviewed six candidates from a field of 34. The district aims to make its selection by July 1.
Yearwood most recently led Columbia Public Schools, the fourth largest district in Missouri. He stepped down in Nov. 2024.
An open records request submitted by Spectrum News reveals Yearwood received $667,000 in a separation agreement with the district to leave that role early. It equals roughly three times his annual salary.
The agreement includes a provision Yearwood and Columbia Public Schools would not comment on his departure beyond a mutual public statement.
“After careful consideration and deep reflection, I will be transitioning from my role as Superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, effective Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. I will continue serving in an advisory capacity during the transition period to support the district to ensure a smooth handover. My retirement will be effective Dec. 31, 2024, at which point I will step away to return to Texas to explore opportunities closer to family,” Yearwood said in a statement.
In January, Yearwood was announced as one of three finalists to lead a school district in Garden City, Kansas. In early April, he was announced as one of three finalists to be the superintendent of a Delaware school district.
Shuldiner currently serves as the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan. According to JCPS, there he helped boost graduation rates, and launched universal pre-k.
He was one of three finalists named to lead a Nevada school district in February.
State education commissioner Robbie Fletcher said whoever is picked should be focused on students.
“I wish them, both of them, best of luck but I know that they’ll be ready to stand there and help out every single student in JCPS and make sure that every single student has opportunity and access to their dreams and their hopes a just a quality education in general,” Fletcher said.
Last summer, superintendent Marty Pollio announced he would step down at the end of this school year. He was at the helm as the district navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, a bussing system meltdown and sweeping changes to what schools students are assigned to attend.
Pollio will become the Ivy Tech Community College System president after leading JCPS since 2017. The college system is in Indiana.
JCPS will hold two community meetings with the two finalists. People can ask them questions during the meetings. They will be held Tuesday, May 20 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
