Kentucky Commissioner of Education
| Kentucky Commissioner of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $280,800 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $6,610,374,200 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the Kentucky Board of Education |
| Authority: | Kentucky Revised Statutes 156.010 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the Kentucky Board of Education |
| Current Officeholder | |
Kentucky Commissioner of Education
Robbie Fletcher | |
| Other Kentucky Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Cabinet Secretary • Public Service Commission | |
The Kentucky Commissioner of Education is an appointed state executive position in the Kentucky state government.
The commissioner of education serves as chief executive of the Department of Education and is responsible for administering, structuring, and organizing the Department and its services.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Kentucky Commissioner of Education is Robbie Fletcher (nonpartisan). Fletcher assumed office in 2024.
Authority
The office of the commissioner of education is established in the Kentucky Revised Statutes.[2]
Kentucky Revised Statutes 156.010:
| (1) The Commissioner of Education shall be the chief executive of the Department of Education. |
Qualifications
According to Code 156.148 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the commissioner "shall possess the professional qualifications determined by the Kentucky Board of Education as appropriate for the office."[3]
Appointments
The commissioner of education is appointed by the Kentucky Board of Education, subject to Senate approval. The commissioner serves a term length of four years.[4]
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Kentucky Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
The duties of the commissioner of education are described in the Kentucky Revised Statutes as follows:[5]
Kentucky Revised Statutes 156.148:
| (3) The commissioner of education shall be the executive and administrative officer of the Kentucky Board of Education in its administration of all educational matters and functions placed under its management and control. He shall carry out all duties assigned to him by law; shall execute under the direction of the state board the educational policies, orders, directives, and administrative functions of the board; and shall direct the work of all persons employed in the Department of Education. |
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Kentucky Commissioner of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Kentucky state budget and finances
The Department of Education's budget was $6,610,374,200 in Fiscal Year 2025.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $280,800, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $260,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, the commissioner received a salary of $260,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, the commissioner's salary was not reported to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, the commissioner received a salary of $200,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018
In 2018, the commissioner received a salary of $150,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017
In 2017, the commissioner received a salary of $240,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016
In 2016, the commissioner received a salary of $240,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015
In 2015, the commissioner received a salary of $227,250, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014
In 2014, the commissioner received a salary of $225,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013
In 2013, the commissioner received a salary of $225,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Kentucky Commissioner of Education has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Contact information
Kentucky Department of Education
Division of Communications
Office of the Commissioner
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-3141
See also
| Kentucky | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Kentucky Revised Statutes, "156.010 Commissioners authority to organize Department of Education," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Kentucky Revised Statutes, "Home," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Bill Track 50, "156.148 Commissioner of education -- Selection -- Duties.," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Bill Track 50, " KY SB107," accessed April 15, 2024
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcommish - ↑ Kentucky Office of State Budget Director, "2024-2026 Budget of the Commonwealth," accessed January 17, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 18, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 24, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||
 |
State of Kentucky Frankfort (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |