2008 Woodie Awards
CPE moves to governor's office
Christina Howerton
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: News
It may only be in smoke signals, but many in higher education see a recent move by the governor as a sign that education is still important.
Gov. Steve Beshear moved the Council on Postsecondary Education from the Education Cabinet to his office, said Jay Blanton, spokesman for the governor.
Higher education is important to the state because it leads to a better economy, a stronger work force and increased entrepreneurship, Blanton said.
Former Gov. Ernie Fletcher moved CPE out of his office and into the Education Cabinet. Beshear returned it to his office to create direct communication between the governor and the council, Blanton said.
Blanton said higher education officials agreed direct communication with the governor is critical.
President Gary Ransdell said the move is a good sign for higher education.
"I thought it was a mistake when Gov. Fletcher changed the reporting relationship two years ago, and I think it's the right move to restore the relationship established in the higher education reform," he said.
CPE presidents reported to the governor during former Gov. Paul Patton's administration, which encouraged higher education reform in 1997, Ransdell said.
A committee is searching for a new CPE president.
Richard Crofts is the CPE interim president.
Dennis Taulbee, general council for CPE, said the change won't affect the search.
Beshear is not involved in the search, but he will interview the candidate after that person is chosen, Taulbee said.
The new president, who is expected to be chosen at the end of the year, will advise as an adviser to the governor.
Ransdell is a member of the search committee.
He said they are conducting a national search for someone who understands higher education, is objective toward institutions and programs in the state, has good political instincts and knows Kentucky.
"But if you find those first three, you don't worry about who knows Kentucky," he said.
The candidate pool is currently being assembled.
Reach Christina Howerton at news@chherald.com.
Gov. Steve Beshear moved the Council on Postsecondary Education from the Education Cabinet to his office, said Jay Blanton, spokesman for the governor.
Higher education is important to the state because it leads to a better economy, a stronger work force and increased entrepreneurship, Blanton said.
Former Gov. Ernie Fletcher moved CPE out of his office and into the Education Cabinet. Beshear returned it to his office to create direct communication between the governor and the council, Blanton said.
Blanton said higher education officials agreed direct communication with the governor is critical.
President Gary Ransdell said the move is a good sign for higher education.
"I thought it was a mistake when Gov. Fletcher changed the reporting relationship two years ago, and I think it's the right move to restore the relationship established in the higher education reform," he said.
CPE presidents reported to the governor during former Gov. Paul Patton's administration, which encouraged higher education reform in 1997, Ransdell said.
A committee is searching for a new CPE president.
Richard Crofts is the CPE interim president.
Dennis Taulbee, general council for CPE, said the change won't affect the search.
Beshear is not involved in the search, but he will interview the candidate after that person is chosen, Taulbee said.
The new president, who is expected to be chosen at the end of the year, will advise as an adviser to the governor.
Ransdell is a member of the search committee.
He said they are conducting a national search for someone who understands higher education, is objective toward institutions and programs in the state, has good political instincts and knows Kentucky.
"But if you find those first three, you don't worry about who knows Kentucky," he said.
The candidate pool is currently being assembled.
Reach Christina Howerton at news@chherald.com.
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