Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio announces his retirement

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --  Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio is retiring. 

He announced on Friday that he is stepping down July 1, 2025. 

In a letter released by JCPS, Pollio wrote, "I began crafting this letter about a month ago. It has taken me this long to complete it as I get emotional every time I return to the letter. I picked this day to send it out to the JCPS family, not anticipating canceling school today. However, it is probably appropriate with all the challenges we have tackled together over the last 7+ years." 

Here is the letter he sent out: 

JCPS Family,

In the summer of 2017, I began this incredible journey with you as I was named the acting superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools. I started in JCPS as a social studies teacher in 1997 at Shawnee High School. At no time throughout my journey in four different high schools and a multitude of positions did I think I would become the superintendent. Even in the spring of 2017, I was surprised that I was interviewing for the position. Over seven years later, it has been the honor of my lifetime to represent this wonderful district and all the incredible students, staff, and families as the superintendent.

In all candor, and as I’m sure you are aware, the journey has not been an easy one. Together, we have traversed through two of the largest crises in the history of public education. As a result of the pandemic and severe staffing shortages, our jobs have become much more difficult. Through all the major challenges, I am so proud of the accomplishments we have made together for the students of this community. As a superintendent, it would have been easier to keep the status quo. Change is very hard. But I am extremely proud that we made the decision to make the most substantial changes in the history of JCPS despite many challenges. I truly believe that these changes will result in decades of improved outcomes for our students.

Just a few of the major accomplishments we have made together include: a new student assignment plan, a new facility plan that includes the building of 24 new school buildings over the next decade, an enhanced safety and security plan that includes the creation of the JCPS Police Department with 55 police officers, the passing of the first tax increase above 4% in the history of JCPS which brought in much needed funding, proliferation of nationally recognized models with the Academies of Louisville and Explore Pathways, additional levels of support for students and schools (MHPs, ICs, SAs, School Nurses, etc.), a focus on racial equity to improve student outcomes for our historically underserved population, development of the Backpack League summer learning program, an aligned literacy and numeracy plan across all JCPS schools, a technology overhaul in our schools for staff and students, new athletic facilities for all high schools, 14% increase in pay for all employees over the past four years, including stipends for those in enhance support schools, and successfully navigating through numerous audits and pushing back on attacks from Frankfort since 2017. I truly believe that these changes have led and will lead to improved outcomes for the children of this community.

But, in every leader’s journey, there comes a time to turn the page and move on to the next chapter in your life. And that time is quickly approaching for me. My tenure as superintendent of JCPS has lasted longer than 96% of the superintendents in the Council of the Great City Schools, which encompasses the 80 largest school districts in the United States. The average tenure for large district superintendents is now less than 18 months. I am proud that I have served the last eight years in this position given the immense challenges that public school districts face. If it weren’t for the amazing students of this district, I would not have had the strength and motivation to persevere. I have truly given them my all. I also could not have done this without the support of all the incredible educators and employees in this district and the positive words and encouragement from so many of you. Although not perfect, we have an incredible school district where all of you give so much to meet the needs of ALL children in this community. We need to stand together with pride in that fact.

I wrote all employees a letter on July 2, 2017 expressing my honor to start as superintendent of JCPS. And now I want the JCPS family to be the first to know that this will be my final year as superintendent. I will be retiring effective July 1, 2025. In the summer of 2022, I gave the board of education a three-year commitment. This is the final year of that three-year agreement. I had planned since that time for the 2024-25 school year to be my final one. However, this will not be the end of my time in education. I hope to continue positively influencing public education moving forward in Kentucky and even at the national level. I am announcing at this time to give our board of education and community the time needed to select a candidate that will continue the forward progress and momentum we have made over these past eight years. Although I am announcing my retirement for the end of this school year, I want you all to know that I will not let up in my passion for this district over the next nine months. As I have always preached, I will be sprinting through the finish line!

Once again, it has been the honor of my professional career to serve as your superintendent. I have given every ounce of myself to this role as I know so many of you do daily. Although there have been challenges over my tenure, no one can ever question my passion, fight, and love for Jefferson County Public Schools.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you over the last eight years.

Sincerely,

Martin Pollio, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Jefferson County Public Schools

Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg released a statement after Pollio made the announcement thanking the superintendent for his service to improve education in the city.  

“From his early days teaching and coaching at Shawnee High School to being principal of Jeffersontown and Doss High Schools and most recently serving as JCPS superintendent, Dr. Marty Pollio has dedicated his life and career to educating young people here in Louisville. I am thankful for his tireless service and efforts to improve educational outcomes for all students. We will continue working closely together for the remainder of his tenure on partnerships to improve public education in Louisville.”

The JCPS Board of Education is now tasked with finding Pollio's replacement.

Something to note, four of the seven seats are up for election and at least three of them will change come November, because three members are not seeking re-election. Gail Logan Strange, who holds the District One seat, is the only incumbent seeking re-election and faces one challenger.

"Looking forward to working with my three new colleagues who are coming up behind us, and I think we'll have a good team prepared to tackle this challenge," said Vice Chair James Craig.

Board Chair Corrie Shull said it is his hope the board will conduct a national search.

"There are people all across this nation who have demonstrated success at leading urban school districts," Shull said. "And I think that a school district of 96,000 students deserves the absolute best candidate."

Shull, Craig, and other board members who submitted statements to WDRB were complimentary of Pollio's tenure as Superintendent.

"Under Dr. Pollio’s leadership we have seen such accomplishments as a new student assignment plan, a new facility plan that includes the building of 24 new school buildings over the next decade, an enhanced safety and security plan, an aligned literacy and numeracy plan across all JCPS schools," Logan Strange said.

However with Pollio's tenure came immense challenges. Including the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages that contributed to last year's busing crisis.

Michelle Pennix, a former JCPS principal, said Pollio handled COVID will, thanks to trust he built with staff, but acknowledged it is time for new leadership.

"I think that he fulfilled his job, his requirements to us again, leading us through the pandemic, but at this time, we need a new vision. We need a different type of leadership," Pennix said. "Student achievement has to be the focus of the next administrator, superintendent in this district. I think that we've had a lot of focuses in a lot of different places, and I won't put all the blame in his (Pollio's) lap, but I will say that our first priority, the main thing, is to keep the main thing the main thing, and that main thing should be student achievement."

When it comes to searching for its next leader, Jefferson County Teacher Association president Maddie Shepard hopes the process engages all in the community.

"It is really important to us that the process is collaborative and prioritizes the voices of all stakeholders," said Shepard. "It is important that this is used as an opportunity to build relationships with the community, to prioritize... the wants and needs of the community and stakeholders, like educators, our bus drivers, our parents and students as well."

What the future holds, does leave some nervous, like parent DayStanya Wright.

Wright, a west Louisville resident, said under Pollio's leadership, she saw positive change happening in the community.

"I'm just now starting to see a superintendent that was invested in development in the West End and bringing schools and revamping," said Wright.

She hopes the next leader, even if they come from out of state, will understand complexities within JCPS. 

"Was he perfect? No, but I did appreciate the effort that he put in to make JCPS what it is currently," said Wright.

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