JCPS to consider restoring routes for some schools after first day of school

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools cut transportation for thousands of its students, but some students may see their routes restored.

The Jefferson County Board of Education received a transportation update Tuesday evening from its chief operations officer, transportation director and chief financial officer.

During the update, Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said the district will look into restoring routes for free or reduced lunch students that attend Manual, Male and Butler high schools, all students that attend Johnson Traditional Middle School, and direct runs to Coleridge-Taylor and Young Elementary schools.

"As we begin to work through this once again our focus right now is clearly on transportation on that first day of school, before the first day of school we want to notify kids these schools," Pollio said.

Pollio said it is his hope to bring a recommendation to the board in the next seven to 10 days to restore routes.

If routes are restored, they are expected to start a few weeks into the school year.

The number of routes brought back is contingent on the number of TARC drivers that are certified and drive for JCPS.

"Our key is to see to make sure we have the 58 (TARC drivers) that pass that 'S' training, then we will bring back a recommendation for this transportation start time in the neighborhood of early September," Pollio said.

JCPS also clarified stipends are taxable income, and may conflict with income-based benefits like SNAP.

Eligible parents could receive $5 per day or $10 per school day to parents if students who qualify for free and reduced lunches to transport their child.

Parents will sign up beginning the week of Aug. 26. Payments will begin the week of Sept. 9, and back payments from August will be completed by Sept. 23.

If a parent is eligible for $5 a day and has to transport two students to two different schools, they will receive $10 a day. If the parent is driving two children to one school, they will receive $5.

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