It’s looking more and more like there will be a interim commissioner of education to span the time between Terry Holliday’s retirement and when his successor takes over.

The Kentucky Board of Education will meet Aug. 5-6 in Frankfort for its annual planning retreat (Wednesday) and its regular meeting (Thursday). The advance agenda released yesterday calls for the panel to consider “a motion to appoint an individual as interim commissioner.”

KBE Chairman Roger Marcum said in an email interview with eNews that he hopes the need for an interim chief executive will be a short one.

“I would hope the transition time would be no longer than 30-60 days,” he said. “KBE continues to work toward a goal of selecting the next commissioner before or soon after Dr. Holiday's departure Aug. 31st. If we are able to do so, there will still be a period of transition time before that person will assume the job duties and responsibilities.”

Marcum said he and KBE Vice Chairman Jay Parrent have been putting together a list of candidates for the state board to consider if an interim commissioner is to be chosen at the retreat.

The first item on the board's Wednesday retreat agenda calls for a closed session to meet with representatives of the Florida-based search firm, Greenwood/Asher and Associates. The initial application process for the search closed last Friday. Marcum said more about identifying finalists should be firmed up after the Aug. 5 meeting with the consultants.

Meanwhile, Holliday will be feted at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort that evening in an invitation-only event billed as a “celebration of Kentucky education progress and recognition of Commissioner Holliday's role in that progress.”

At Thursday’s regular meeting, state board members will vote on leadership for the coming year. Marcum has indicated he is willing to serve another one-year term as chairman, adding that the issue is up to the full board. Parrent also is eligible for another term as vice chairman. Both of their terms run through April 2018.

The Thursday agenda also includes staff presentations on the state’s Professional Growth and Effectiveness System for teacher and administration evaluations, an update on academic standards, and a discussion of the state board/KDE biennial budget request and legislative agenda for the 2016 General Assembly.

Public sessions of KBE meetings are streamed live on the Internet via the KDE website.