Wayne Lewis named Kentucky education commissioner

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Board of Education has voted to make Wayne Lewis the state's education commissioner.

Lewis has been in the job on an interim basis since April, when a newly appointed board forced out former Commissioner Stephen Pruitt despite having more than a year left on his contract.

Pruitt's exit prompted protests from some teachers' unions who viewed it as a power grab by Republican Gov. Matt Bevin. But Tuesday, the state Board of Education gave Lewis a glowing evaluation and authorized board chairman Hal Heiner to negotiate a contract with Lewis for the full-time job.

Lewis said he was "incredibly humbled" by the appointment and urged the state to come together and "put foolishness aside and focus on our kids.