JCPS board expected to vote Tuesday on pausing plan to close, consolidate several schools

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Jefferson County Public School board is expected to make a formal recommendation to pause the plan to close or consolidate schools during its meeting on Tuesday.

The district is working to counter a $188 million budget shortfall.

The proposal would close Liberty High School and Zachary Taylor Elementary School, combining King Elementary School into Maupin Elementary School and moving Waller-Williams Environmental and TAPP to new locations.

The board wants the district to take more time and resources to justify the recommendations, including how it would specifically affect academics, the district's budget and transportation for students.

JCPS has received pushback from the community about the plan. Crowds at community forums over the last few weeks asked the district to slow down and rethink the closures.

The district is asking parents, guardians, teachers and residents to continue sharing their feedback and input during the pause.

Superintendent Brian Yearwood said stabilizing the district will require tough choices.

The plan would help address the $188 million budget deficit the district faces. District officials say closing or consolidating a handful of schools could save between $4 million and $8 million a year, but that won’t make much of a dent in the deficit.

Yearwood has warned that JCPS must cut $132 million to avoid missing payroll.

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