JCPS board members flooded with emails from mystery website amid superintendent search

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County School Board members said they've received more than 100 emails from an anonymous website called "Elevate JCPS Together," raising concerns about transparency and intent amid the district's search for a new superintendent.

Board member Tricia Lister, who represents District 2, described the emails as an apparent attempt to pressure or harass the board.

"I got the ones saying, 'Suck it up' and 'Anonymous on Easy Street,' which made it clear to me that their intention is to harass," Lister said Friday. "It's unsettling and seems petty and childish."

The website urges the public to contact board members about selecting a strong leader to replace Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio, who is set to retire at the end of the school year.

A template said: "We don't need someone to simply manage the status quo—we need a leader who will challenge it. JCPS is in crisis, and small tweaks aren't going to cut it. The next superintendent must be bold, experienced, and unafraid to make tough calls. Find someone with the vision and leadership to transform our schools. Anything less is a disservice to our students."

Another template states: "Tell the JCPS Board to hire an exceptional new superintendent... For too long the district has failed our kids. We need real leadership."

While people can use provided templates or write their own messages, Lister said not all messages appear to be reaching board members equally.

"They are filtering out the ones that are positive, and I don't know why," she said. "I take issue with that. It seems a little cowardly and not productive."

Some emails have included racist or snarky remarks with fake names, Lister said, adding that those messages are not being filtered.

The website itself offers little transparency about its operators, listing only a Louisville P.O. Box as contact information. Attempts to reach those behind the site have been unsuccessful. No one replied to an email Friday sent to the address on the website.

District 7 board member Taylor Everett said the secrecy raises questions.

"I don't know why it would be anonymous," Everett said. "I don't know if they're from the district and worried something would happen to them or if they used to be on the board and are now trying to get back. I have no clue. But, again, it's their legal right to make it."

He said he checked, and there are no phishing concerns with the emails.

As the superintendent search continues, board members are working to gather community input and ensure they select the right candidate to lead JCPS.

"We're hoping to have someone in place in plenty of time before Dr. Pollio leaves," Lister said. "But I'm not going to take that as a hard deadline. If we don't have the right person, we can get an interim. Our goal is to have somebody in place."

"One, there are not a lot of people with experience running a district of our size," Everett added. "Two, obviously, what is happening with busing in last few years, some of the negative thought of what JCPS is, those are things search firm said could make it harder for us."

Despite these concerns, board members remain optimistic about finding the right leader for JCPS. JCPS outlines the superintendent timeline and search here.

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