LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Jefferson County Board of Education has announced the two finalists in its search for a new superintendent.

The board and the Superintendent Screening Committee have chosen Ben Shuldiner and Dr. H. Brian Yearwood as the top two candidates for the next superintendent of Kentucky's largest school district, Jefferson County Public Schools, according to a news release from the district.

"Both individuals have a wealth of experiences and credentials that have prepared them for a leadership opportunity such as the superintendency of JCPS presents," Dr. Corrie Shull, JCBE chair, said in the news release. "Both individuals are capable of evaluating student learning in our district, ensuring students continue to excel and our district will continue to flourish."

Shuldiner is currently the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan, and has more than 25 years of experience as a teacher, principal, professor, school board member and superintendent.

JCPS said he has led "major turnaround" in the Lansing School District. That includes "raising graduation rates by 26%, boosting attendance by 13%, and reversing decades of enrollment decline."

"Under his leadership, Lansing achieved Michigan's highest reading growth scores (2022-24)," JCPS said. He also launched Universal Pre-K. 

Having graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, JCPS said Shuldiner earned his MSEd from Baruch College. He has also served as a "distinguished lecturer" at Hunter College and as a member of the New York City Board of Education. Also in New York, JCPS said Shuldiner founded the High School for Public Service in Brooklyn, which went on to earn the name of New York State's top Title 1 school.

Yearwood was born in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago, earning his associate degree from New Mexico Military Institute. He continued his higher education at Texas Tech University, earning a bachelor's degree in geology. He went on to get his master's degree in educational administration and a doctorate in educational leadership and statistics, JCPS said. 

His professional career began as a middle school physical science teacher and tennis coach, transitioning into administration after three years. He became an assistant principal and principal at both elementary and middle schools before moving up to assistant superintendent at the Manor Independent School District in Texas, according to JCPS.

Recently, Yearwood served as superintendent of Columbia Public Schools, the fourth-largest district in Missouri, from 2021-24. During that time, JCPS said his district "achieved milestones, including a 16-point increase in its Annual Performance Report score" to 86.5%.

JCBE chose Shuldiner and Yearwood after interviewing six candidates from a pool of 34 applicants presented to the board by the national search firm it hired — Hazard, Young, Attea Associates. 

The next step in the process is a final round of interviews for each candidate. They will also participate in Q&A sessions with the public, district staff and "other key stakeholders."

"We hope that our community comes out in full force to meet the candidates and to give the board feedback," Shull said.

The first Q&A session is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the JCPS Center for Professional Learning. A second session will be held from 7-9 p.m. at Stopher Elementary School. 

JCPS said a recording of the session will be posted on its YouTube page, website and social media. 

The district launched a national search for its next superintendent following outgoing JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio's announcement last September that he would be stepping down July 1 this year after nearly three decades with the district, serving as superintendent since 2017.

Last week, Ivy Tech announced Pollio would take over as the 10th president of Indiana's statewide community college system, starting July 1. Pollio was chosen after a national search, and will succeed Dr. Sue Ellspermann, who is retiring in June after nearly a decade.

For more information, such as the superintendent search timeline, click here.

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