Former JCPS spokeswoman Lauren Roberts passes away, according to family

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A former longtime spokeswoman for Jefferson County Public Schools passed away Tuesday after an illness, according to her family.

Lauren Roberts was 52. She is survived by her husband, Chris; daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Cole.

"We know how very loved she was and find comfort in that at this difficult time," said Cole, 17, who will be a senior at Ballard High School this fall.

During Tuesday's Jefferson County Board of Education work session, chairman David Jones Jr. offered condolences to Roberts' family.

"I'm very sorry to share this news," he said. "Our prayers are with her family and friends."

Roberts spent 23 years working for JCPS as the district's public information officer until May 2012, when her job was one of 89 central office positions frozen or eliminated by Superintendent Donna Hargens as part of an administrative reorganization. At the time, Roberts made $129,243 annually.

JCPS later paid Roberts $200,000 to settle a dispute over how she left the district.