Oldham County Schools superintendent won't renew contract when it expires next summer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Oldham County Schools Superintendent Jason Radford told staff members Tuesday he won't renew his contract in 2025.

A spokesperson for the district said Radford told the board he does not wish to seek a contract extension beyond next June. Radford took over as the district's superintendent in 2021 and has been in education for 27 years.

In his letter to staff, Radford said he's put his "heart and soul" into the school district.

"I have given careful thought to this decision over the last few months and discussed with our Board of Education," he wrote. "I feel it is time to turn the page to the next chapter."

Radford came to Oldham County from Boone County in northern Kentucky, where he led the district’s Office of School and System Improvement to provide equitable, accessible, rigorous and relevant learning opportunities for students, according to a biography provided by OCS in 2021.

He also worked as a national school leadership coached and served the Kentucky Department of Education as a district manager, acting director for Title I and an educational recovery leader.

Radford said in his letter Tuesday he's making the announcement now to give the board time to find his replacement.

"We still have much work to do for our students and I have made a commitment to our Board members that I will finish this school year strong because that is what our students deserve," he wrote. "Our school district is positioned well for the future and poised to thrive as we continue to think about engaging, empowering, and elevating the experiences for everyone that makes Oldham County Schools a destination district."

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