LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools' Board of Education member Chris Kolb announced Monday that he will drop out of the JCPS school board race.

Kolb currently represents District 2. He originally filed to run for reelection, but told WDRB News he has dropped out of the race. 

Two other people have filed to run in District 2: Abby Berthold and Tricia Lister.

Kolb said his decision to drop out of the race follows the Jefferson County Teachers Association's decision to not endorse any candidates running for school board from District 2.

JCTA is the district's largest teachers union.

"When JCTA decided to not endorse anybody in my race, you know there's literally nothing more I could have done to support teachers and support the union so that just tells me I'm not the guy for the job anymore," Kolb said. "It's not about the money. It's about, you know, if you're not willing to stand with me, then let's ... it's just time to, you know, just to call it quits.” 

JCTA did not elaborate on why it decided to not endorse any of the candidates, only confirming the decision. 

Kolb has served on the board since 2016.

In May, Kolb sent a scathing letter to district employees following a controversial vote to change the district's start times for a second year in a row. When asked if he regrets that letter, Kolb said he did not.

The the only current sitting board member running is Gail Logan Strange of District 1, who faces one challenger Mark Gatton.

Strange was appointed to fill the vacant seat left by former board chair Diane Porter, who resigned last October citing health reasons. Strange was selected to finish out the remainder of Porter's term. The seat will be up for reelection this November. 

In April, WDRB learned Sarah McIntosh, from District 7, and Joe Marshall, from District 4, will not run again. 

Here is a list of all candidates filed to run for the JCPS Board of Education, according to the Jefferson County Clerk's office

  • District 1:
    • Gail Logan Strange
    • Mark Gatton
  • District 2:
    • Abby Berthold
    • Tricia Frances Lister
  • District 4:
    • Trevin Bass
    • Barbara Lewis
    • Destiny Livers
  • District 7:
    • Taylor Everett

With three new seats up for grabs it means three new people will be responsible for figuring out JCPS's transportation woes and the possibility of picking Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio's replacement, whose contract is up next June.

"I hope if he does chose to move on some time between now and June 30th of next year that the new board comes together and gets someone they're super excited about to be a leader," Kolb said. 

Board member James Craig, representing District 3, Linda Duncan, representing District 5, and Corrie Shull, representing District 6, are not up for reelection this November.

All three were reelected in November 2022.

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