LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Manny Caulk, Fayette County Superintendent, died unexpectedly.
“I am writing with a heavy heart tonight to inform you of the death of our supervisor, Emmanuel Caulk, who has been leading our district since 2015,” Fayette County Board of Education President Stephanie Spiers wrote in a letter to families.
“We are grateful for Manny’s slavish leadership and passion for our two moral requirements – to accelerate results for students who have not yet achieved proficiency, and to challenge already skilled students to achieve global competence,” Spiers wrote.
Caulk went on temporary medical leave on Monday.
The district said it was focused on its health.
Dr. Marlene Helm is acting trustee.
Spiers said current and incoming members of the Board of Education will work together to ensure a smooth transition. He said they would start the difficult task of finding a new supervisor in January.
“We ask you to keep Manny, his family, and everyone who loved him in his thoughts and prayers, while also respecting his privacy during this incredibly difficult time. The provisions for respecting your life and work are not yet complete, but we will send it to our FCPS family upon finalization, ”Spiers said in the letter.
In 2015, Caulk underwent 18 hours of surgery to remove a malignancy from his nasal cavity, our Herald-Leader news partners reported.
Caulk joined the FCPS in August 2015.
Prior to that, he worked in Maine’s largest school district, as a supervisor for Portland Public Schools.
In the fall of 2018, he was appointed 2019 Supervisor of the Year by the Kentucky School Administrators Association.
Caulk was 48 years old, leaving a wife and children behind.
In a Facebook post from the Fayette County Education Association, he wrote, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Superintendent Manny Caulk. He has been a passionate advocate of public education and will be greatly missed. “
Lexington, Mayor of Linda Gorton, also issued a statement saying he will always remember Caulk because he was devoted to the children of Fayette County.
“He put their safety first, as part of our stakeholder group in the fight against the pandemic,” Gorton said. “We have thoughts with your family during this difficult time.”
Various people attached to Caulk tweeted with sympathy, including former Kentucky education commissioner.
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