LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Jefferson County Board of Education met Tuesday night and approved a new tax rate.

Not part of the agenda, was a vote to restore routes for some students that loss transportation. 

Tax Rate

The board voted to lower its tax rate on Tuesday, however, Jefferson County Public Schools will still make more money. 

That's because property value assessments continue to increase across Jefferson County, a rate decided by the county Property Valuation Administrator.

The approved rate is 73.5 cents per $100 assessed value on real property, down from last year's rate of 76 cents.

If a home assessment is valued at $100,000, the homeowner would pay $735 in school tax.

The board voted to lower its tax rate on Tuesday, however, Jefferson County Public Schools will still make more money.

Although the rate is a decrease, JCPS anticipates $31 million in additional funds.

The district said it will support employee raises, curriculum facilities and general operations of JCPS.

JCPS expects to see a 4% increase in revenue over last year. Anything above 4% would subject the tax rate to a recall vote.

The motor vehicle tax rate will remain at 58.5 cents.

Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said the district may consider going beyond the 4% threshold in coming years.

"With our staffing shortages I think, as you heard me say, it's going to be imperative at some point in the future for this organization and board to make a step of even going beyond the 4% so we can pay staff to have all our vacancies filled. Whether that be teachers, bus drivers or any other role group we have," Pollio said. "Right now was not the right time for that, but in the near future that could be coming."

Route Restoration

JCPS said it still needs more TARC drivers certified to drive a school bus before it can restore some transportation. 

The district is considering restoring routes for: Male, Manual and Butler high school students on free or reduced lunch; all students at Johnson Traditional Middle School; all students at Coleridge Taylor and Young Elementary Schools.

Route restoration is dependent on the number of TARC drivers that become certified to drive a school bus. The former public transit drivers are expected to transition over to JCPS, a deal worked out between the school district and city's public transit system, as TARC deals with a financial crisis. The drivers otherwise risked being laid off.

On Tuesday, Pollio said 24 drivers have gotten the certification necessary to drive a school bus.

"It's a little slower going than we want to go, but we're working with them, and have a lot of testing this week and next week," he said.

Pollio originally hoped to bring a formal recommendation for the board to vote on Tuesday. He said it will call a special meeting if necessary to approve a plan.

Once a plan is approved, Pollio the district will survey eligible families if they want transportation back to their school. It will also survey students that transferred out of school if they would like to return to that school. The district estimates that to be around 380 students.

The routing team will then take the survey results and create routes, then allow drivers to bid and practice practice the routes.

JCPS said despite not having an approved plan Tuesday, the district is still aiming to restore routes the first day back from fall break.

Pollio said if it does not have 60 certified drivers for several more weeks, the goal date may be pushed back.

Previous Coverage:

Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.