LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public School officials are not guaranteeing transportation for all students next school year.

In a letter sent to families Friday, the district said the only transportation it can guarantee for the 2024-25 school year is for "special education students and students attending their resides school." 

JCPS said students have a "resides school" determined by which zone they live in, which can be found through the district's School Finder.

The Jefferson County Board of Education will vote on transportation options early next year, the district said, but until a final decision "we cannot confirm the availability of transportation services for students attending magnet schools or schools outside of their zone." 

JCPS is reminding parents that "traditional schools are magnets." If a student is accepted into a magnet school or goes to a school on transfer that is not in their zone that they can no longer attend because of "a change in JCPS-provided transportation," the student will be able to attend a school in their zone.

JCPS said it cannot say if it will have buses available for magnet school students or students who attend schools outside of their zone. 

Families are currently deciding on schools for next school year. The district's application period is open through Dec. 22. For more information, click here.

Friday's announcement came just days after the school board began looking ahead to options for next school year.

The district is looking at a slew of possible changes ahead of next school year, options ranging from cutting 15 to more than 100 buses by:

  • Eliminating all bus transportation for magnet and traditional schools, only transporting free and reduced lunch students to those schools
  • Creating a hub for magnet and traditional school students
  • Creating a lottery for available seats leftover on buses
  • Eliminate "grandfathering" for prior student assignment plan
  • Offering a parent stipend for high school student transportation

This year, JCPS went from two to nine start times across the district, and consolidated bus routes to deal with driver shortages.

Almost halfway through the school year, JCPS continues to struggle with late buses and a shortage of bus drivers. In early November, the district canceled more than 100 routes due to drivers calling out. 

Middle school and high school instruction previously started at 7:40 a.m., while elementary schools started at 9:05 a.m. The new plan adopted this year by Jefferson County Public Schools includes nine different start times ranging from 7:40 a.m. to as late as 10:40 a.m.

At Tuesday's board meeting, interim Chief Operations Officer Rob Fulk and Superintendent Marty Pollio said going back to two start times is not the solution.

This story may be updated.

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