JCPS still hasn’t identified the 300 central-office job cuts, details expected Tuesday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Weeks after the Jefferson County Public Schools board accepted a draft budget, the district still has not publicly identified which central-office jobs — roughly 300 — are being cut.

All eyes now turn to Tuesday’s school board meeting, where those details are expected to come to light.

At a Jan. 20 budget meeting, Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood said each chief was directed to reduce half of their staff budget.

“We asked each chief to cut 50 percent of their staff budget.”

The district says that resulted in about 300 central-office positions being eliminated, totaling roughly $44 million in projected savings.

But board members pressed for clarification on whether the reductions were real positions or vacancies.

“Did we actually do 50 percent, or was it just open positions?” board member Taylor Everett asked.

Dr. Brian Yearwood left several questions unanswered at that meeting, including how many central-office employees the district had before and after the reorganization.

“When you ask about central office, that’s the tricky part because it’s really hard to define,” Yearwood said.

Another board member said even basic information about staffing was unclear.

“I don’t know the numbers. I don’t know who works there. I don’t know what they do,” Tricia Lister said.

When asked how many employees earning more than $100,000 were being cut, Yearwood said he could not yet provide a figure.

“I don’t want to give you a number right now because that is what we’re working on.”

Weeks after that meeting, the district is expected to release the list of roughly 300 central-office positions being eliminated Tuesday, along with the salaries attached to them. That is expected to happen at the February 10th board meeting. 

The district has said which chief roles are eliminated and created. 

The districts website says: "Additionally, the Board approved a reorganization of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, reducing the total number of Chiefs from 13 to 7. This includes eliminating the positions of the Chief Information Officer, Chief of Human Resources, Chief Communications and Community Relations Officer, Chief of Schools, Chief Finance Officer, Chief of Accountability, Research and Systems Improvement, Chief of Staff and Chief of Exceptional Child Education. It also includes the new positions of Chief Business Officer, Executive Officer of Communications and Community Relations, Chief of Strategy & Innovation, Executive Officer of Student Support & Community Engagement and Executive Officer of Accountability, Research and Systems Improvement. The Chief Equity Officer role will be renamed to the Chief Opportunity & Access Officer. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary to the Board will report to the Special Assistant to the Superintendent. Additional positions in areas like finance, information and ECE will be created and report to new and existing Chiefs."

The board has already voted to receive the draft budget, but changes can still be made before formal adoption in May.

The district’s chief financial officer says JCPS currently employs 185 certified administrators — central-office staff who hold teaching credentials. Seniority will play a major role in which laid-off employees return to the district in another position.

When asked whether laid-off staff could move into classroom vacancies, Yearwood said the number is uncertain.

“I know that there will be some. To predict, it’s kind of hard.”

Also on Tuesday’s agenda are proposed agreements between JCPS and the teachers association. If approved, they would give Academic Instructional Coaches and Middle School Explore coaches first rights to interview for open positions.

Another proposal would give overstaffed employees at Zachary Taylor Elementary and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary priority consideration for jobs at nearby cluster schools.

Yearwood is expected to recommend the board approve those agreements on Tuesday.