LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood recommended closing one school, relocating another and merging two more as the district grapples with a $188 million budget shortfall.
JCPS announced recommendations Thursday and gave reasons and next steps for each:
- Closing Liberty High School
- "This school was initially created to serve students in the credit recovery process. Today, well-rounded credit recovery resources are implemented across JCPS, making the stand-alone Liberty model no longer necessary."
- "If passed, students will return to their resides schools, with mandated Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) and robust social-emotional support to provide an accelerated path to credit recovery."
- Closing Zachary Taylor Elementary School, citing cost and an enrollment below 50%
- "If passed, students will reapply, ranking choices from elementary schools in the Ballard High zone."
- Relocating Waller-Williams Environmental to an "existing facility in the Fairdale neighborhood," citing cost and 39% capacity and a cost per student of about $111,000
- "While this is a specialized school and requires additional resources, the average cost per student at JCPS specialized schools is about $62,000. If passed, we’ll be moving this school to an existing facility in the Fairdale neighborhood that’s better suited to its size."
- Consolidating King Elementary School and Maupin Elementary School at Maupin's building
- (King) is at 70% capacity and the average cost per student is more than $10,000 above the JCPS average for elementary schools. At the same time, Maupin Elementary has 53% enrollment but a lower cost per student. JCPS recommends merging the two schools at Maupin’s more cost-effective facility.
- Moving the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program (TAPP) to the Gheens Early Childhood Center at Louisville Male High School, citing 21% enrollment
Each proposal would need approval by the Jefferson County Board of Education. A vote is expected at the board's Dec. 9 meeting.
"These are difficult but necessary steps," Yearwood said in a news release Thursday. "We made this decision after a thorough examination of the quality and capacity of our facilities and our educational models."
Three public forums will be held next month in response to the proposals:
- Monday, Dec. 1, from 5–6 p.m. at Kammerer Middle School. Address: 7315 Westboro Road
- Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 5–6 p.m. at the JCPS Center for Professional Learning. Address: 3903 Atkinson Square Drive
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 5–6 p.m. at Academy @ Shawnee. Address: 4001 Herman St.
JCPS is bracing for more than $130 million in cuts next year. The district released its yearly financial audit this week, giving a detailed look at how the district managed its money last year. Audit firm LBMC found, despite a $188 million budget deficit, the district's financial position remains strong and stable with an operating budget of about $2.4 billion. More than $19 million of that money went to district administration. JCPS also brought in nearly 9% more revenue than the year prior, including almost 7% more in property taxes. However, the district still carries more than $740 million in debt.
Two more audits of the district's finances are still in progress.
JCPS said Yearwood will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Friday to address the recommendations.
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