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Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction

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The Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction was a public office of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States, that served as the chief school official of the commonwealth until the position's responsibilities were transferred to the Kentucky Commissioner of Education in 1990. The position was abolished by voters in 1992.

Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction
Seal of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
TypeState constitutional officer
StatusDefunct
Term lengthFour years, non-consecutive
Formation1838
First holderJoseph J. Bullock
Final holderJohn Stephenson
Abolished1992

History

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Establishment

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On February 16, 1838, Governor James Clark approved an act of the Kentucky General Assembly to establish the commonwealth's first common school system.[1] This act included the creation of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, state board of education, and empowered each county to form their own board of education.[2] Being preceded by only Massachusetts and Michigan, Kentucky was the third state in the United States to pass such measures.[3] Per statute, the superintendent would be appointed to a two-year term by the governor and approved by the Kentucky Senate. The superintendent was chiefly responsible for clerical duties, and was paid a salary of $1,000 per year.[1][4]

Governor Clark appointed Presbyterian clergyman Joseph J. Bullock as Kentucky's first Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1838. The appointment of Bullock was the first in a trend for the early superintendents to be chosen from the ranks of religious leadership such as Hubbard Hinde Kavanaugh and Benjamin Bosworth Smith.[5][6] However, Bullock would only serve in this position for a year and a half before resigning and calling for a larger salary that was commensurate with the commitment needed for future superintendents to continue their focus on the responsibilities of their office rather than another form of supplementary employment.[7]

 
Superintendent Robert Jefferson Breckenridge (1847–1853) has been cited as the "Father of Kentucky's public schools."

Following the ratification of the 1850 Kentucky constitution, the superintendent was made a statewide constitutional officer who would be elected to serve a term of four years. The first elected superintendent was incumbent Robert Jefferson Breckenridge, who had been appointed to the position in 1847 by Governor William Owsley.[8] Alongside this distinction, Breckenridge is also credited as the most effective and impactful of the early superintendents and has been cited as the father of Kentucky's public schools.[9]

When the 1891 Kentucky constitution was ratified the superintendent was limited to serve non-consecutive, four year terms.[4][10]

Kentucky Education Reform Act

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In 1990, the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) was signed by Governor Wallace Wilkinson.[11] Included were provisions for the reduction of the superintendent's salary from $67,000 to $3,000 annually and the delegation of nearly all of the position's authority to the newly created office of the Kentucky Commissioner of Education.[12][13] Due to an oversight, some of the superintendent's ex-officio board positions remained such as their place on the state fire board and child abuse prevention council.[14]

The last elected superintendent, John Stephenson, pushed back against these reforms. After assuming office in 1991, he made a speech in which he threatened to file a lawsuit against the state and proclaimed himself to be the chief school officer of the Commonwealth. Lawmakers responded by filing a number of measures to strip the superintendent of his remaining board seats and to abolish the position itself. By early 1992, Stephenson backed down and instead requested that his salary be restored to $67,000 as well as be provided an office, staff, and supplies.[14] None of these requests were met, and soon after lawmakers designated the superintendent as only the chief civilian advocate for education.[15]

Abolition

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Between 1921 and 1992, there were six constitutional amendments on the ballot to either abolish the superintendent's office or remove it as an elected position. However, until 1992 all of these attempts were defeated by the voters.[16] During the November general election of that year both Amendment #2 and Amendment #3 contained provisions to abolish the office. Despite Amendment #3 being defeated, Amendment #2 passed with 540,156 votes (51.1%) and successfully abolished both the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Register of Land Office.[17] According to Kentucky Attorney General Chris Gorman, the amendment was self-executing and immediately eliminated the offices upon their passage, a fact that was contested by John Stephenson.[18]

In 1993, Stephenson appealed to have the superintendent reinstated as a constitutional officer. This effort did not succeed, and on April 19, 1993, Kentucky's Superintendent of Public Instruction was removed from the commonwealth's payroll.[19]

List of superintendents

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No. Name Party Term of office
1. Joseph J. Bullock[1] N/A 1838–1839
2. Hubbard Hinde Kavanaugh[1] N/A 1839–1840
3. Benjamin Bosworth Smith[1] N/A 1840–1842
4. G. W. Brush[1] N/A 1842–1844
5. Ryland T. Dillard[1] N/A 1844-1847
6. Robert Jefferson Breckenridge Whig[20] 1847–1853
7. John Daniel Matthews[21] Democratic[22] 1853–1860
8. Robert Carter Richardson[23] Democratic[24] 1860-1864
9. Daniel Stevenson Democratic[25] 1864–1868
10. Zachariah Frederick Smith[26] Democratic[27] 1868–1872
11. Howard A. M. Henderson[28] Democratic[29] 1872–1880
12. Joseph Desha Pickett[30] Democratic[31] 1880–1888
13. Ed Portor Thompson Democratic[32] 1888-1896
14. William Jefferson Davidson Republican[33] 1896–1900
15. Harry Vernon McChesney Democratic[34] 1900–1903
16. James H. Fuqua Democratic[35] 1903–1908
17. John Grant Crabbe Republican[36] 1908–1910
18. Ellsworth Regenstein Republican[37] 1910–1912
19. Barksdale Hamlett Democratic[38] 1912–1916
20. V. O. Gilbert Democratic[39] 1916–1920
21. George W. Colvin Republican[40] 1920–1924
22. McHenry Rhoades Democratic[41] 1924-1928
23. W. C. Bell Democratic[42] 1928–1932
24. James H. Richmond Democratic[43] 1932–1936
25. Harry W. Peters[44] Democratic[45] 1936–1940
26. John W. Brooker Democratic[46] 1940–1944
27. John Fred Williams Republican[47] 1944–1948
28. Boswell B. Hodgkin Democratic[48] 1948–1952
29. Wendell P. Butler Democratic[8] 1952–1956
30. Robert R. Martin[49] Democratic[49] 1956–1959
31. Wendell P. Butler Democratic 1959–1964
32. Harry M. Sparks Democratic[8] 1964–1968
33. Wendell P. Butler Democratic 1968–1972
34. Lyman V. Ginger Democratic[50] 1972–1976
35. James B. Graham Democratic[51] 1976–1980
36. Raymond H. Barber Democratic[52] 1980–1983
37. Alice McDonald[53] Democratic 1983–1987
38. John Brock[13] Democratic 1987–1991
39. John A. Stephenson[19][14] Democratic 1991–1992

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g A Century of Education in Kentucky, 1838-1938. Kentucky Department of Education. 1938. p. 12.
  2. ^ "Moments in Kentucky Legislative History". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  3. ^ Vaughn, W. H. (March 1946). "Robert J. Breckinridge, Pioneer Educational Administrator". Peabody Journal of Education. 23 (5): 284–306. doi:10.1080/01619564609535989.
  4. ^ a b Public Education in Kentucky. New York: General Education Board. 1922.
  5. ^ Theiss, Nancy Stearns. "Oldham History | Nationally known church leader helped guide Kentucky education". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  6. ^ Insko, W. Robert (January 1971). "Benjamin Bosworth Smith: Kentucky Pioneer Clergyman and Educator". The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society. 69 (1): 37–86. JSTOR 23377316 – via JSTOR.
  7. ^ Ellis, William E. (2011). A History of Education in Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky. p. 24.
  8. ^ a b c "Your Democratic Candidates for '63". Western Kentucky University Kentucky Museum. 1963. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Kleber, John E.; Clark, Thomas D.; Klotter, James C., eds. (1992). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 120.
  10. ^ "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky". Internet Archive. Courier-Journal Printing Co. 1891. p. 39. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  11. ^ Krauth, Olivia. "On shaky ground: How did Kentucky's watershed education reform act hold up after 30 years?". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  12. ^ "A Citizen's Guide to Kentucky Education" (PDF). Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. June 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Steffy, Bett E. (January 1992). "The Last of the Breed in Kentucky: An Interview with John Brock". International Journal of Educational Reform. 1 (1): 46–49. doi:10.1177/105678799200100105 – via SAGE.
  14. ^ a b c Harp, Lonnie (1992-01-29). "State Superintendent Battling For the Trappings of His Constitutional Post". Education Week. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  15. ^ "Informational Bulletin No. 171 - The Executive Branch of Kentucky State Government" (PDF). Frankfort, Kentucky: Legislative Research Commission. 2002. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  16. ^ "Informational Bulletin No. 59" (PDF). Citizens in Charge. Legislative Research Commission. December 2004. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "1992 Kentucky Constitutional Amendment Vote Totals". Kentucky State Board of Elections. 1992. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "Superintendent off State Payroll". The Times-Tribue. April 20, 1993. p. 3.
  19. ^ a b "State Journal: And now no pay; Voucher slapping". Education Week. 1993-05-05. ISSN 0277-4232. Retrieved 2024-06-19.
  20. ^ "CentreCyclopedia - Robert Jefferson Breckinridge". sc.centre.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  21. ^ Necrological Reports and Annual Proceedings of the Alumni Association of Princeton Theological Seminary. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton Theological Seminary Alumni Association. 1884. p. 13.
  22. ^ "Democratic State Nominees". The Louisville Daily Democrat. March 21, 1855. p. 2.
  23. ^ "Robert Carter Richardson · Civil War Governors of Kentucky Digital Documentary Edition". test.discovery.civilwargovernors.org. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  24. ^ "Democratic State Ticket". Tri-Weekly Kentucky Yeoman. Frankfort, Kentucky. July 23, 1859. p. 2.
  25. ^ "Union Democratic State Ticket". The Tri-Weekly Commonwealth. Frankfort, Kentucky. July 31, 1863. p. 3.
  26. ^ Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (Revised ed.). New York: D. Appleton and Company. 1900. p. 597.
  27. ^ "Democratic Ticket". The Shelby Sentinel. Shelbyville, Kentucky. May 15, 1867. p. 2.
  28. ^ "Death". The Bourbon News. January 5, 1912. p. 1. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  29. ^ "Democratic Ticket". Tri-Weekly Kentucky Yeoman. Frankfort, Kentucky. May 13, 1871.
  30. ^ Mickle, William English (1907). Well Known Confederates and their War Records.
  31. ^ "Democratic Ticket". Cloverport Breckenridge News. June 11, 1879. p. 2.
  32. ^ "The Great Convention - A Full Ticket Named by the Democracy". Cloverport Breckenridge News. May 20, 1891. p. 2.
  33. ^ Hamlett, Barksdale (July 1914). History of Education in Kentucky - Bulletin of Kentucky Department of Education Volume 7, No. 4. Frankfort, Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Education. p. 173.
  34. ^ "The Democrats Win - State Contest Board Decides in Favor of the Contestants, who Qualify at Once". Hartford Herald. February 28, 1900. p. 2.
  35. ^ "Items of Interest". Hartford Herald. December 24, 1902. p. 4.
  36. ^ Ellis, Bill (2005). A History of Eastern Kentucky University: The School of Opportunity. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 21–28.
  37. ^ "Death Claims Dr. T. J. Coates, Eastern Head". Eastern Progress. February 23, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  38. ^ "Barksdale Hamlett - Educator Candidate for Superintendent for Public Instruction". Lancaster Central Record. June 16, 1911. p. 3.
  39. ^ "V. O. Gilbert - Leading Democratic Candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction". Clay City Times. August 5, 1915. p. 3.
  40. ^ "Republican Speaking: Hon. George W. Colvin". Lancaster Central Record. September 18, 1919. p. 14.
  41. ^ "Appointments are Announced: Prof. McHenry Rhoades and Prof. Coates of Richmond are Elected as State Supervisors". The Winchester News. November 4, 1910. p. 1.
  42. ^ "This is the Way They Will Appear in November". The Mountain Eagle. Whitesburg, Kentucky. September 1, 1927. p. 2.
  43. ^ "Democratic Ticket". Carter County Herald. Olive Hill, Kentucky. October 29, 1931. p. 1.
  44. ^ A Century of Education in Kentucky, 1838-1938. Kentucky Department of Education. 1938. pp. 15–109.
  45. ^ "Fac-Simile of Official Ballot, Election Tuesday November 5, 1935". Carter County Herald. Olive Hill, Kentucky. October 24, 1935. p. 6.
  46. ^ "Announces for Supt. of Public Instruction". Carter County Herald. Olive Hill, Kentucky. May 11, 1939. p. 2.
  47. ^ "Time for Change! Vote Republican". Western Kentucky University Kentucky Museum. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  48. ^ "Fac-Simile of Official Ballot - Regular Election Tuesday November 4, 1947". Carter County Herald. Olive Hill, Kentucky. October 30, 1947. p. 7.
  49. ^ a b Hay, Charles (1997). "Historical Note: Robert, Richard Martin". Eastern Kentucky University Special Collections and Archives. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  50. ^ "Sample Ballot". The Harlan Daily Enterprise. Harlan, Kentucky. October 24, 1971. p. 11.
  51. ^ "Ginger Ordered to Discipline Violators of Solicitation Law". Middlesboro Daily News. Middlesboro, Kentucky. October 30, 1975. p. 1.
  52. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Kentucky: Superintendents of Public Instruction". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  53. ^ Loftus, Tom. "Alice McDonald wants conviction to be expunged". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
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