DEA special agent chosen as new Fayette school board member after 6 hour deliberation
After meeting in closed session for nearly six hours, the Fayette County Board of Education on Monday chose Jason D. Moore, a special agent and instructor with the Drug Enforcement Administration, to fill the school board’s District 3 vacancy.
“Board members were impressed with Mr. Moore’s demonstrated commitment to ensuring a world-class education for each and every child,” Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy said in a news release after the vote. “His experiences were unique and compelling, equipping him with a keen insight on the challenges many of our students and families face, and a worldview that prioritizes equity and social justice.
“These qualities became apparent to us in his responses during the student-led forum, his interview, and his overall application.”
On Dec. 4, members of the board chose Moore and three other finalists from 14 applicants to fill the seat left empty when Tom Jones resigned. The other three were:
▪ Danny A. Everett, adjunct professor and Siloam Project director at Baptist Seminary of Kentucky
▪ Amy L. Sohner, executive director of Bluegrass Greensource, an environmental education nonprofit
▪ Kennedy Wells, director of membership, research, and board relations for Associations International (American Volleyball Coaches Association).
The board met in closed session twice – on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 – to review each candidate, assess their qualifications, and consider the community recommendations about key characteristics and priorities for the new board member.
On Thursday, members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council led a Q&A public forum with the finalists.
The board met again in closed session Monday.
District 3 encompasses the eastern section of the county, including Hamburg, Chilesburg and outbound Richmond Road. Moore will hold office until the November 2024 election, when they will have the opportunity — along with other interested candidates — to run for a full four-year term.
At its Oct. 23 action meeting, the board accepted a letter of resignation from Jones, who was elected in 2020.
Recent changes in state law have made local school boards responsible for filling vacancies.
Moore will be sworn in prior to the next board meeting on December 14, 2023, to fill the remainder of the term.
“Our board faced a difficult choice between many high caliber candidates,” Murphy said. “I hope all the other applicants will stay actively engaged and seek other leadership roles in our schools and district. “
