LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The race to lead Jefferson County Public Schools is down to two people.
Both candidates spent Monday making their case to be the next superintendent in Kentucky's largest school district. Earlier this month, the Jefferson County Board of Education announced Harold Brian Yearwood and Ben Shuldiner as the top two candidates to replace outgoing superintendent Marty Pollio, who is leaving July 1 to become president of Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana.
Inside the Center for Professional Learning the two finalists, Shuldiner and Yearwood met with a screening committee as they vie to become the next leader of JCPS.
"This is just a dream job, I love Louisville," Shuldiner said. "It's an incredible place, and Jefferson County school system is wonder. I would be honored to be the superintendent."
Shuldiner currently leads a school district in Lansing, Michigan, but he said the call to Louisville was one he couldn't ignore.
"The head-hunting firm, they reached out," Shuldiner said. "They said, 'Ben you should apply.' And I thought about it, and I said 'you know what? Let's do it.' I'm just over the moon."
Shuldiner and his fiancé already have ties to the city, including volunteer work during the pandemic. He said his track record speaks for itself.
"We've raised the graduation rates by 26 points," Shuldiner said. "We've raised the attendance rates by 13 points. We actually increased enrollment for the first time in 30 years.
Yearwood said he's also up for the challenge.
"I'm very humbled, first of all, that I'm one of two, and I'm certainly excited about the prospects of what may hold, what the future may hold if I'm given the opportunity here in Louisville," Yearwood said.
Yearwood most recently served as superintendent in Columbia, Missouri. He said his strength is turning around struggling districts.
"That is a challenge that I take on wholeheartedly because that's what I've been doing my entire life is turning around schools, turning around districts, and I look forward to this challenge," Yearwood said. "It's very much doable."
Jefferson County Board of Education Chair Dr. Corrie Shull said community feedback will play a role in the final decision.
"There will be two forums, and we look forward to hearing from our community as to their perspective on these two candidates," Shull said.
Whoever is selected, the board chair said the mission is clear.
"That we see improved academic outcomes for students, that we see our budget deficit completely dealt with," Shull said. "And I hope that we see this person really lead JCPS into the future."
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