Ralph Hoskins was named interim superintendent of the Knox County Public Schools during a special-called Board of Education meeting on Saturday, April 27.
The Board of Education met in executive session for two hours on Saturday to interview potential candidates for the position. After returning to regular session, Dexter Smith made the motion and Charles Merida seconded to hire Hoskins as interim.
“It is an honor for me to lead Knox County and work in this school district”, said Hoskins, following the announcement.
Hoskins’ career in public education began in Bell County in 1976 where he served as a special education teacher during the spring semester. In the fall of 1976, he made the move to Clay County where he advanced his career through the ranks of teacher to assistant principal and principal. In 1995, he took the position of Special Education Director for the Berea Independent school district where he later served as interim superintendent in 1997. Hoskins’ final stint in education was that of superintendent of the Jackson County school district from fall 1997 to his retirement in the summer of 2010.
During his time as Jackson County superintendent, Hoskins made significant improvements to the district’s facilities including athletic fields, elementary renovations, and new career and adult education centers. With geothermal projects planned in Knox County this summer, Hoskins is looking forward to working with district leaders to successfully complete projects before the start of the 2013-2014 school year.
“There are many challenges ahead, and we will work together to do what is best for the students of Knox County”, said Hoskins.
Hoskins will be in Knox County on Monday, April 29 to meet with outgoing superintendent Walter T. Hulett and with the district’s leadership team. He will begin duties as interim superintendent on Wednesday, May 1.
“We feel that Mr. Hoskins will be an asset to our district during this transition in leadership,” said Dexter Smith. “We look forward to him leading our district while the search for a superintendent takes place.”
The length of Hoskins’ contract with Knox County is dependent on the search for a permanent replacement, with the contract valid up to six months. The Board voted Saturday to use the Kentucky School Boards Association to conduct the superintendent search. KSBA consultants will begin working with the Board immediately to develop criteria, advertise the position, and organize a screening committee. The Board has not set a date to have a new superintendent in place.