Former Fayette County Public Schools superintendent Tom Shelton unexpectedly passed away over the weekend, leaving behind a legacy of policy work in Lexington.
The University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy posted to Instagram on Monday, Feb. 9, in remembrance of Shelton, 62.
“We remember and celebrate that Tom Shelton was a longtime educator and public service leader, a supporter of the Martin School and an executive director of the Henry Clay Center,” the post said. “His support and legacy will not be forgotten.”
The Henry Clay Center College Student Congress at UK is a summer program for rising college seniors to connect with active policy makers in D.C. through experiential learning, according to its website.
Shelton held positions and created an impact outside of UK, focusing on education policy across Lexington, throughout Kentucky and on the national level.
Shelton formerly served as superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, assisted in the recreation of The Council for Better Education and acted as the president and CEO of United Way of the Bluegrass, according to WKYT.
FCPS released a statement mourning Shelton’s death on Monday. The statement highlighted the work from his 2011-2014 tenure.
According to the FCPS release, Shelton established the first district-wide professional learning community and mission statement (both still used) and helped expand nontraditional learning avenues by opening the Carter G. Woodson Academy, STEAM Academy and The Stables.
The release said Shelton “fought to ensure that every school had the structures, expertise, and resources to serve every child at high levels.”
In commemoration of Shelton’s death, The Council for Better Education, according to WKYT, said no matter Shelton’s position, he shaped policy, strengthened systems and changed lives.
“Tom Shelton was a fierce and unwavering champion for Kentucky’s 630,000+ public school students,” the release said. “Dedicating his life’s work to advocating for every child across all 171 school districts to have access to a fully and equitably funded public education.”
Details about Shelton’s cause of death or funeral arrangements have not been released.
