JCPS makes progress on facilities plan, hopes to build 20 schools over 10 years

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools plans to build 20 new schools in the next decade.

That includes a new $56 million facility for W.E.B. DuBois Academy, which will be home to a middle and high school.

"I can't say enough what a new school means to kids and families," Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said during his State of the District Tuesday afternoon. "Especially if they were in their old school and you see them walking into their new school and get to see the looks on their face."

JCPS originally introduced a four-year plan with the goal of building new schools for Grace James Academy, W.E.B. DuBois, and a new west end middle school, which was later named Hudson Middle.

W.E.B. DuBois Academy expansion rendering — JCPS is planning to build a new $56 million facility for middle and high school students as part of the W.E.B. DuBois Academy campus off Poplar Level Road in Louisville. (Rendering via JCPS/Feb. 24, 2024)

W.E.B. DuBois' plan calls for a 178,000-square-foot facility with a three-story academic wing and a gymnasium wing off Poplar Level Road.

Grace James and Hudson are currently housed in old school buildings, known as "swing spaces."

Wednesday, a JCPS spokesperson said locations for the two schools are to be determined, but hopes to finalize in the next few months.

Dr. Marty Pollio State of the District — JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio speaks at the State of the District in Louisville, Ky. on Feb. 20, 2024.

In February 2023, JCPS announced an expansion to its four-year facilities plan to include Okolona Elementary, Kerrick Elementary, Olmsted Academy South, Westport Middle School, Seneca High School, and a new early childhood center.

Design work for Okolona has begun, JCPS is now working to finalize property acquisition with Metro Parks. It plans to build the school behind its current site, on land part of Okolona Park.

At 51 years old, the school opened in 1972 and is at the top of the district's facilities replacement list. The design calls for a $40 million two-story building.

JCPS said it has moved up plans to build its new early childhood center and will put out bids to developers "soon."

As for the other schools, JCPS said it is "on schedule."

The four-year plan is part of a 10-year vision to continue new construction and renovation projects across JCPS. The district's next batch of new schools include: Alex Kennedy Elementary, Audubon Elementary, Cochrane Elementary, Goldsmith Elementary, McFerran Elementary, St. Matthews Elementary, Wellington Elementary, Wilt Elementary, Zachary Taylor Elementary, Carrithers Middle, Iroquois High, Western High, and another early childhood center.

“We will be building 20 new schools in the next decade and it will definitely change JCPS," Pollio said.

Atherton High School expansion rendering 2-16-24 — Jefferson County Public Schools is set to spend $54 million to improve and expand Atherton High School in Louisville. (Studio Kremer Architects rendering/Feb. 16, 2024)

On top of the new construction projects are plans for several major renovations at other schools. Schools listed for renovation over the next four years are: Fairdale High School, duPont Manual Youth Performing Arts School, Johnson Traditional Middle School, Atherton High School, Dixie Elementary. Byck Elementary, Frayser Elementary, and Jacob Elementary.

Recent details released about Atherton's $54 million renovation include a new, 3-story classroom addition at the center of the school's campus. According to the school's application, the new building will be more than 20,000-square-feet.

The money will also be spent on renovations to the school's HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems.

As for schools already opened, JCPS opened Indian Trail Elementary, Wilkerson Elementary, Perry Elementary and Echo Trial Middle School.

"I've lamented for many State of the District addresses how few schools that we have built in the last 20 years, before our four opened up we only opened four, and I told you in Fayette County they had built 12. They're 2 1/2 times smaller than we are," Pollio said.

Early estimates for new construction and renovations part of the four year plan cost roughly $645 million.

In 2020, the district pushed for a tax rate hike, advocating to improve its facilities. The increase was challenged in courts, but survived.

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