LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Jefferson County Board of Education voted 5-2 Friday to approve job cuts as part of Jefferson County Public Schools' effort to address what's projected to be a $188 million shortfall in the 2026-27 budget.
The cuts center around the central office, which is where JCPS leaders said the largest reductions would occur.
“Approximately 300 central office positions eliminated,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood said during a Jan. 20 budget meeting.
However, when the district released organizational charts, the numbers did not match that figure.
WDRB reviewed the central office cuts plan:
- 179 currently filled central office jobs would be eliminated (this does not include positions that were reclassified/downgraded or deleted and added back with changes)
- 74 positions proposed to be eliminated are vacant
- That's a total of 253 positions removed on paper
- 178 new central office positions are created under the plan
- That equals a net reduction of 75 positions overall — far fewer than roughly 300 referenced by the district
- If vacant roles are excluded, the plan eliminates 179 filled positions and adds 178 new ones — resulting in one fewer person working in central office.
The plan also reduces the number of working days for some employees, lowering pay for an unspecified number of staff members. The district said it is still working to determine how many people are affected.
Some educators said they expect the impact to be felt in classrooms.
Now that the cuts are approved, they will take effect July 1.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
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