LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Tension among members of the Jefferson County Board of Education boiled over Wednesday during a meeting about the superintendent's plan to address the district's budget crisis, as board members openly sparred over proposed changes affecting students with disabilities.
The debate centered on the district's Exceptional Child Education division, which serves students with disabilities. It's the final division facing cuts as JCPS works to reduce a $188 million deficit.
Other JCPS divisions' reorganization was approved in February. District leaders have said if the necessary reductions are not completed, JCPS "will fail."
At the meeting, the board was asked to vote on changes to services for students with disabilities. But it turned into a broader debate about how decisions in the district should be made and what role the school board should play.
Board members first pressed district leaders about how the proposed ECE changes were developed.
Board member Taylor Everett asked ECE Chief Kim Chevalier about feedback from schools.
"How many people have we met with in schools," Everett asked.
Board member Tricia Lister also raised concerns about the timing of information provided to the board.
"I just got a 23-page new version of the chart tonight and I'm not ready to speak on that," Lister said.
The conversation quickly expanded beyond cuts to exceptional child education and turned into a debate over the role of the board itself: Should members challenge the superintendent's recommendations or trust his leadership?
Board member Linda Duncan argued that the board's structure is designed to rely on the superintendent's recommendations.
"The whole structure of the board is to rely on the recommendations that the superintendent makes," Duncan said. "I don't think this board should be in a dispute with a chief who runs the department."
Board member James Craig disagreed.
"Our job is not to rubber stamp, and that has been what has been ruining us for the last couple of years, Ms. Duncan," Craig said. "It is our job to represent the values of the community that elects us that sends us here."
The debate came after an audit found former Superintendent Marty Pollio made many spending decisions independently. According to the audit, the board was unable to make fully informed decisions on spending approvals and Pollio made most budget decisions without a formal review.
The discussion among board members grew heated as they challenged the recommendation.
"I'm stress testing this recommendation tonight and it's not passing the stress test," Craig said.
Board member Corrie Shull attempted to halt the exchange.
"Ladies and gentlemen, wait wait wait wait," Shull said. "This is not back and forth time."
Duncan then pressed Craig, asking for an alternative.
"What is your better recommendation?" Duncan asked.
Superintendent Brian Yearwood said cuts have to come from somewhere.
"Tell me where that $2 million needs to come from, and I'll do it tomorrow," Yearwood said.
Board member Trevin Bass defended the superintendent's role.
"Dr. Yearwood is making these recommendations," Bass said. "We hired him. When are we going to allow him to do his job?"
In the end, the board rejected the special needs reorganization plan. Duncan, Bass and Shull voted to approve it. The rest of the board voted no.
Yearwood must now return to the bargaining table with stakeholders and bring back a new proposal.
During the meeting, Yearwood acknowledged the pressure surrounding the decision.
"What if one of those groups says 'No go"'" Yearwood said.
"You're our leader," Craig responded. "Lead us."
Yearwood replied that he is trying to move forward despite outside pressure.
"I'm trying to but remember I'm getting directives as well by phone calls," Yearwood said. "I'm getting threats by phone calls. So I'm trying to lead. I'm trying to lead transparently."
The clash raises a broader question for JCPS: What is the board's role?
WDRB asked every board member that question. Only Everett responded publicly.
"The role of the board is to intake information from all parties they represent, their personal expertise and the recommendations of the district," Everett said. "From there, we should ask thoughtful questions, have active discussion with other board members and all these things should lead to the ultimate vote we make. The ultimate responsibility is not just on the superintendent it's on the board as well, which is why we can't just say yes to every suggestion."
Yearwood said the board's responsibility is to ensure oversight.
"... to make sure there's oversight over things like budget and to ask questions and make sure they're probing and getting all the information that they need," he said.
Yearwood expects to have a new proposal on the ECE division changes at the next board meeting. However, questions remain about how much the proposed changes would actually save.
JCPS spokespeople said the plan was cost neutral, cutting about $5 million and adding about $5 million, and sent a graphic breaking down the numbers. But during the meeting, Yearwood said the cuts would save $2 million, prompting questions about the plan's financial impact.
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