LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Jefferson County Board of Education voted 5–2 Friday night to approve job cuts as part of Jefferson County Public Schools’ effort to address a projected $188 million shortfall in the 2026-27 budget.
Board members James Craig and Taylor Everett were the only votes against the reorganization.
Superintendent leaves without answering questions
After the vote, WDRB asked Yearwood if he would speak to the media, he did not respond and left the building through a back door.
Chief Communications Officer Carolyn Callahan then answered questions on his behalf.
When asked, “What is the net change with the positions added back in central office?” Callahan initially said the district did not have the number immediately available. After nearly 10 minutes of the communications team calculating in a back room, she provided a figure.
Callahan said the plan means JCPS would have 69 fewer central office jobs next school year, and confirmed the number includes 74 vacant positions eliminated.
She said the district came to that number because 323 central office roles are being eliminated and 254 are being created. It is unclear how the district came to those numbers as they are different from what was presented Tuesday. WDRB is working to learn why.
No board members who attended the meeting Friday in person spoke to reporters afterward.
Support Staff Union: 188 members losing jobs
Nicole Humphrey, president of AFSCME Local 4011 representing school support personnel, said 188 union members classified as central office employees are losing their jobs and said she has a list of their names.
“We are the lowest paid employees in Jefferson County Public Schools,” Humphrey said.
She said many of the affected employees work directly with students.
“188 people — the majority of these people are student-facing. They’re elementary bookkeepers and they’re high school ordering and receiving clerks,” Humphrey said.
Humphrey said she was not consulted about the reorganization.
“No, not once,” she said, later calling the process “deceiving.”
Employees, board members raise concerns
Some educators said they expect the impact to be felt in classrooms.
Veronica Moore, an instructional assistant who said she has worked for JCPS her entire life, said she was told she would have to reapply for her position.
“I’ve been with JCPS my whole entire life,” Moore said. “My heart is broken.”
Moore also said she was disappointed Yearwood did not speak publicly after the vote.
Most board members said little before voting.
Board member James Craig raised concern about student impact.
“We said the student experience would be protected, and I don’t see that happening,” he said.
Savings lower than earlier estimate
District officials said the reorganization is projected to save about $31 million, short of the previously stated $43 million estimate. The district said the difference is because the Exceptional Child Education division was not included.
That department’s organizational chart will be presented in March.
Now that the cuts are approved, they will take effect July 1.
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