Veteran educator and school administrator Boyd Randolph has been selected to serve as the interim superintendent for Marion County Public Schools.
Randolph is a former superintendent of Somerset Independent Schools and was an elementary and secondary principal for Pulaski County Schools. His experience also includes time spent as a District Facility Plan Facilitator, a Highly Skilled Educator/Education Recovery Leader, a member of the KHSAA Board of Controls, and a Program Director/Trainer for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators.
“When the opportunity came up, I gladly met with the school board to understand their vision and then share with them what I can bring through my experience, and then see if things line up to be a mutually beneficial relationship, and I think it does,” Randolph said. He added that coming to Marion County was “an easy choice” in part because of his familiarity with the area having taught and coached in nearby Casey County for 15 years.
“I’m excited to get back into the academic focus. All aspects of being superintendent are critical because they all support the academic vision,” he said. “When [students] leave the educational setting they need to be competitive. I want every child that I’m responsible for, when they leave us, to have as much of an advantage as possible.”
Randolph’s first official day will be October 18.
“In conducting our search, the board’s priority was to ensure we selected the right person to lead our school district in a positive direction,” MCPS Board of Education Chair Carrie Truitt said. “Mr. Randolph’s commitment to student success as they take the next steps in their lives was evident after only a few minutes of conversation. During these challenging times, it is very easy to lose sight of why we’re all here; however, the time we spent with Mr. Randolph centered around doing what is best for our students and maintaining a focus on them.”
Truitt also noted Randolph’s experience with school facilities as an important factor.
“We were also impressed with Mr. Randolph’s experience with facility projects and as a District Facility Plan Facilitator,” she said. “As we embark on a $16 million renovation of Marion County High School, a major renovation of Lebanon Elementary School, construction of a new Calvary Elementary School, and system upgrades to Glasscock and West Marion Elementary schools, we needed someone who could jump right into our timeline. Given Mr. Randolph’s expertise, our district’s construction projects will continue to move forward in the months ahead.”
Randolph emphasized that his role is to ensure that the school district’s resources, including facilities, work to improve education.
“The superintendent is responsible for the effective distribution of all the district’s resources for the implementation of the educational program,” he said. “After your personnel investments, what you invest in facilities ranks very high as a major expense. You’re supposed to be the steward acting in the interest of the tax payers in concert with the board.
“We know that academic success has a great impact on personal development and economic success. That in turn brings the community success.”
Randolph experienced that type of success during his time as superintendent in Somerset.
“We had a very good run when I was a superintendent at Somerset -- academically, financially, the building up of infrastructure, the culture improved. Everything a superintendent should be responsible for,” he said. “I’m driven by competition, and not just competition with others but in myself.”
Ultimately, Randolph said his goal is ensure that the district is in a strong position moving forward following his time as interim.
“My presence here needs to be impactful to move the district’s vision forward so that my successor can be successful.”