Reports: Former CPS superintendent Yearwood hired to lead Lousiville, Ky., schools

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

News reports from Louisville, Kentucky, and a state lawmaker say a former Columbia Public Schools superintendent who left before his contract expired will be hired to lead Jefferson County Public Schools.

The district board of education voted 5-2 on Thursday to offer a contract to one of its two superintendent finalists. Yearwood, who left CPS last year with a $667,000 contract buyout, was one of the finalists. Ben Shuldiner was the other.

A JCPS spokesman said Friday that the district will not release more information before the contract is signed.

Louisville news outlets quote a Facebook post by a Kentucky lawmaker as evidence that the district will hire Yearwood.

"I have already reached out to Superintendent Yearwood and offered friendship and support," state Rep. Jason Nemes wrote in a Facebook post. "All I care about are results on academic achievement and safety. Other issues are also important, but those two are the tentpoles."

Contract details were not available Friday.