LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Ground was broken for the new Okolona Elementary on Wednesday, as Jefferson County Public Schools deals with an overwhelming budget deficit.
Leaders from JCPS used shovels to kick-off construction on the 80,330 square-foot-facility on Preston Highway. The $30.2 million project sits on an 11.45-acre site adjacent to Okolona Park, on the same property as the existing school, which was built in 1972. The new school should be finished by the summer of 2027.
Chief Operations Officer Rob Fulk said it's important to replace this elementary school, which he called "one of the worst buildings" in the district. For example, it doesn't have windows in classrooms.
"Obviously, our design philosophy has changed in education over the years as we try to phase out those buildings, we'll be rebuilding it here. They'll have a brand-new school that'll be one of our more energy efficient schools. We'll have a whole lot of daylight for the students,” he said.
Fulk said the design of the new school is sustainable, energy-efficient and will lead to long-term savings in operating costs. He said a new building will cost about 70% less in utilities, water and maintenance versus an older building.
"It's part of our initiative that essentially, if you look at when JCPS schools were built in the 50s, 60s and 70s, we built about 100 schools. They're all now 50 to 80 years old," Fulk said.
The project begins as JCPS deals with the district's $188 million budget deficit and questions about its long-term financial future.
Fulk presented an update on the district’s facilities and rising maintenance costs this week. He said deferred maintenance — the repairs delayed because of budget limits — now totals an estimated $2.5 billion.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, JCPS built about 100 new schools. Since then, only 23. Many of those older buildings now need major repairs, and Fulk said most JCPS schools are well past their 30- to 40-year lifespan.
Fulk emphasized on Wednesday that JCPS has not considered halting construction of new schools because of the deficit. He said it's a common misconception, but the operational budget and the building funds are different sources.
"The building fund is separate that goes in a completely separate pot of money that is typically bonded out. The building fund has not been touched, and we continue our track to build more than 20 new schools over the next eight years as part of the board's vision."
Fulk told the budget task force this week that the current construction plan is “not aggressive enough.” He said the district may have to consider consolidating schools or building new ones in areas with population growth, like along Bardstown Road and in eastern Jefferson County.
More JCPS coverage:
JCPS loses $9.7 million federal grant for magnet programs over civil rights violations
JCPS warns of $2.5 billion in maintenance needs, rising costs amid budget deficit
JCPS superintendent reverses course on audit plan amid $188 million deficit
JCPS aims to cut $132 million in next budget, ensures teacher salaries won't be affected
Kentucky Republican lawmakers vow to fight future JCPS tax hike due to financial crisis
JCPS officials say financial crisis was not 'hidden from the board or the public'
JCPS board says it was kept in the dark about need to sell assets amid $188M shortfall
JCPS approves budget while facing financial crisis, could run out of money by 2026
JCPS creates new task force as district faces nearly $100 million budget deficit
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
