LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A vote on Jefferson County Public Schools job cuts has been delayed until Friday, as educators wait for details on a restructuring plan the district says targets central office positions.
For months, JCPS leaders said the largest reductions would occur at central office.
“Approximately 300 central office positions eliminated,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood said during the Jan. 20 budget meeting.
But when the district released organizational charts, the numbers did not match that figure.
“We're subtracting five positions and adding seven… but the math ain’t mathing,” Kentucky’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, Kumar Rashad said during the meeting.
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.
Yearwood defended the restructuring when asked about criticism the plan shifts positions rather than reduces them, saying the plan “strengthens our schools.”
When asked how many employees counted in central office cuts work inside school buildings each day, Yearwood said he did not have the number available.
“I’ll have to get you that exact number," he said. "I know you are about the numbers. I wish I had them in front of me, but if you allow me some time, I will get you those numbers."
The next day, the district said it was “working to get this” information.
The district said as part of the reorganization, 34 positions were "deleted and added back with changes." A spokesperson also said "24 positions were reclassified/downgraded."
The district said the reorganization will produce major savings.
“It’s probably $42-43 million,” JCPS Chief Financial Officer Eddie Munns said.
When asked how roughly 75 fewer positions could save $42 million to $43 million, a JCPS spokesperson said: “Each chief also reduced operational budgets. Those cuts are included in the $43 million.”
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.
When asked whether the earlier promise about 300 central office cuts was misleading, Yearwood said, “Oh, of course not.”
Some educators said they expect the impact to be felt in classrooms.
“We all should’ve known better — it was never going to be 3332 Newburg Road taking these cuts, it would always be us,” a JCPS parent and educator said at the board meeting Tuesday.
The JCPS board will now vote on the central office reorganization Friday, Feb. 13.
More JCPS Coverage:
JCPS asking parents, staff to complete survey providing feedback for district improvements
JCPS officials break ground on new $100 million Seneca High School campus
Board moves to delay vote on JCPS central office job cuts
JCPS organizational charts outline which central office jobs are being cut
Search the latest JCPS salary database as some high-earning jobs are being cut
JCPS still hasn’t identified the 300 central office job cuts, details expected Tuesday
JCPS superintendent says 'nothing was clear' about budget deficit when he took office
State lawmakers file school finance transparency bill amid JCPS budget crisis
Board accepts draft budget, closes 2 JCPS elementary schools as part of $142M in cuts
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