Fayette County school board chairman John Price dies

John Price, described as a “steady hand at the wheel” as chairman of the Fayette County Board of Education, died Tuesday after a more than two-year battle with leukemia. He was 62.

“John was a true statesman in every sense of the word,” said Fayette County Superintendent Manny Caulk. “Service to others was his vocation, and he was a steady hand at the wheel leading the district through challenging times.

“For me personally, he was a mentor, he was a thought partner and an inspiration. He was there for me as I battled my illness. He knew what I was going through, and we shared that common bond. He was my strength and encouragement. I know he’s in a better place, but selfishly, I’m going to miss him,” said Caulk, who had a malignant tumor removed from his sinuses last year.

Price was appointed to the school board as the District 3 representative in May 2003 to complete an unexpired term. He was then elected in November 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

“I’ve really never known anyone who was more committed to serving Fayette County and our whole state for our public schools and our students,” said Tom Shelton, Fayette County superintendent from 2011 to 2014. “He had exemplary character, strong personal integrity and was a strong man of faith, and it was exhibited in everything that he did and every decision that he was involved in. I was just honored to have the opportunity to both work with him and call him a friend.”

Stu Silberman, superintendent from 2004 to 2011, said Price lived by the school district’s motto: “It’s about kids.”

“Every single decision that John made was always based on what was best for the kids,” Silberman said.

Silberman said that as the district was working on special programs including the Carter G. Woodson Academy, The Learning Center at Linlee and the Locust Trace AgriScience Center, “John was on the forefront as a supporter.”

“He was always concerned about making sure that all of our kids had an opportunity to have a great education and that all of our people were treated well,” Silberman said. “His value system really drove all of his decisions.”

Jessica Hiler, president of the Fayette County Education Association, an educator’s group, said Price “was a passionate advocate for students and teachers.”

“John always sought the input of all stakeholders when making decisions and made everyone feel valued and respected,” Hiler said.

Caulk said Price also was “a staunch advocate for our most vulnerable students. John was an unwavering champion for equity. He believed in the greatness of this district. He believed in what this district could be with respect to ensuring that every student fulfilled their unlimited potential.”

In 2007, Price’s wife, Maggie, died of cancer. Price was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013, but he continued to serve the school district. He didn’t miss a board meeting from August 2014 to October 2015, although he was undergoing treatment. In November and December 2015, he was in the hospital for 36 days and wasn’t at meetings in January and this month.

In his absence, board vice chairman Melissa Bacon has been presiding at meetings. Kentucky Education Commissioner Stephen Pruitt will now appoint a fifth member to the school board. Price’s term expires at the end of 2016.

“The community support over the last 2 1/2 years has been a testament to how beloved John was,” said his sister Janella Price. She said his family appreciated all the encouragement and good wishes he received while he was battling leukemia.

A native of Lexington, Price had thoughts of being a teacher while he was in high school but earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky. He was a certified public accountant and was president of Price, Stagner & Co.

One of his first ties to Fayette County Public Schools was through the district’s Experience-Based Career Education program, with which he got involved during the early 1980s. Price volunteered as a mentor for high school students, providing internships and hands-on experiences in the workplace.

Later, when his daughter Courtney was in kindergarten at Julia R. Ewan Elementary School, he was a homeroom parent. That led to his involvement in the PTA and service on the decision-making councils at Julia R. Ewan and Bryan Station High School. Price helped Fayette County establish its own districtwide parent organization, and served as president of the 16th District PTA.

Price was the board representative to the Equity Council, was a founding member of the district’s budget and finance committee, and served on the superintendent screening committees in 2004 and 2011. He became vice chair of the board in 2008 and chair in 2009.

Price was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, and served stints as treasurer of the nonprofit Housing Equality for All Lexington and a trustee of the Kentucky School Boards Insurance Trust.

“John was a humble and private man who believed in working for a better community,” Janella Price said. “His dedication to the Fayette County school board was just one example of his willingness to step up and serve when he felt he could make a difference.”

Arrangements are pending at Milward Funeral Directors.

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Fayette County school board chairman John Price dies."