JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood set to deliver first State of the District address

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood will give his first State of the District address this Friday, Feb. 27.

It comes as the district faces what's projected to be a $188 million shortfall in its 2026-27 budget.

In an effort to close the gap, the district is making some painful cuts. The Jefferson County Board of Education recently approved central office job cuts and restructuring.

Yearwood came under fire after leaving the board meeting where those cuts were approved without talking to the media, exiting through a back door. He addressed his silence last week, calling the board's decision "heartbreaking."

"Friday was heartbreaking. Friday was very emotional. To make the decisions that we are making, they affect so many lives. It's heartbreaking and I don't wish that on any superintendent anywhere. It's tough," Yearwood said Feb. 18. "It was very tough because of the lives that we are impacting, yes it was very tough."

Additionally, the board voted in January to approve the district's draft budget with about $142 million in proposed cuts across the district.

The cuts include funding for instructional coach positions, leaving it up to principals to make funding decisions based on the wants and needs of the school.

The plan also makes the closures of King and Zachary Taylor elementary schools official.

The board has until May to finalize the budget proposal.

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