State Rep. Derrick Graham has been named the new chairman of the state House Education committee, Democratic leaders announced today. Graham is a Frankfort native who recently retired as a social studies teacher at Frankfort High School. He is a well-known education advocate and previously chaired a budget subcommittee on education. “I want to congratulate Derrick, my friend and colleague, on his appointment as the House Education Committee’s newest chairman,” House Speaker Greg Stumbo said in a statement. “He has dedicated his life to education and has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities Kentucky faces academically."Five House members of the Democratic majority have applied for the open chairmanship, the news release said.Graham replaces former state Rep. Carl Rollins, whoresigned in Aprilto lead the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation. Graham was first elected to the House in 2003. His district covers portions of Franklin County. “I look forward to hitting the ground running in working with the educational community and my colleagues in the General Assembly in continuing to develop policies that help to generate and elevate student achievement and success in all schools across our great Commonwealth, from pre-school to the postsecondary level,” Graham said.
