Brian Yearwood unanimously approved as new JCPS superintendent, agrees to 4-year deal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Jefferson County Board of Education unanimously approved Brian Yearwood as the next Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent Thursday.

Yearwood, who last served as superintendent of Columbia Public Schools in Missouri from 2021-24, agreed to a four-year contract worth $350,000 per year. He'll begin July 1.

Just a few hours after signing that contract to lead Kentucky’s largest school district, Yearwood held his first public Q&A session and emphasized his commitment to learning from the community.

He said his first priority on the job is simple: listening.

“This very first (step) is listening,” he said. “I want to learn as much as I can so that I can surface things that need to be surfaced. I can appreciate the successes in our school district. So, number one priority would be listening, learning and building trust.”

Building trust, he acknowledged, could take time.

The district continues to face scrutiny over its busing issues and ongoing concerns from parents and staff about violence in some schools. In addition, JCPS remains under the watchful eye of Kentucky lawmakers, some of whom have called for more oversight of the district.

“Yes, I would want to learn about what's going on in Frankfort,” Yearwood said. “What is the perspective and what brought that out? What historical information has led to these concerns? I want to work with all legislators to help remedy this, because I know they’re passionate about education — and I’m passionate about student success.”

Yearwood comes to Louisville from Columbia, Missouri, where he served as superintendent until 2024. His departure there was described as a “mutually agreed separation.”

When asked about transparency, Yearwood pledged to be available and to rely on experts across departments.

“My plan is to be available as much as possible to everyone,” he said. “If we have concerns about curriculum, I’ll go to the curriculum expert. If it’s about air quality, I’ll go there. When we had problems with bus driver recruiting, we went to those who knew best.”

Yearwood will replace Dr. Marty Pollio, who is leaving the district July 1 to become president of Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana.

“Dr. Yearwood’s impressive career highlights his ability to boost student achievement, manage finances, and build community partnerships,” Dr. Corrie Shull, JCBE chairman, said in a news release announcing Yearwood's hiring. “We are excited about the fresh energy and ideas he will bring to JCPS as we work together to build on our strengths, address challenges, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

District leaders in Missouri said Yearwood helped improve student performance, however, his departure in December raised questions. A copy of his separation agreement shows Yearwood received more than $667,000 in a contract buyout. He cited retirement, but neither he nor the district has commented further due to a confidentiality clause in the agreement.

Yearwood was also scheduled to appear as one of three finalists for the superintendent position in the Christina School District in Wilmington, Delaware, but that district chose someone else.

“This is an incredible honor to be selected as the next superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools,” Yearwood said in a news release Thursday. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me to serve this remarkable community. ... “This is a district (JCPS) that is full of promise, potential, strong student-centered programs, and passionate people - educators, parents, and community members. I look forward to building strong relationships with them that will be rooted in trust and transparency.”

Ben Shuldiner, currently the superintendent of the Lansing School District in Michigan, was the other finalist considered by the board.

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