LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A resolution that would create a "task force" to monitor Jefferson County Public Schools passed the Kentucky General Assembly.
House Concurrent Resolution 81 establishes a process to review the district's performance, including funding, district boundaries, and diversity.
It would create the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force and target school districts with enrollment greater than 75,000 students, which only qualifies JCPS in the state of Kentucky.
First introduced Feb. 12 with support from the state's Republican lawmakers, the resolution calls for a review of JCPS's performance and a look at how other states have created new school districts.
The task force will be a team of 17 made up of state and local stakeholders, which will review the district's operations and finances to see if it's producing positive student outcomes.
As the resolution is currently written, the task force would include:
- Two members of the House of Representatives apportioned by the Speaker of the House, one of whom will serve as co-chair
- Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom will serve as co-chair
- One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of the House
- One member of the Senate to be appointed by the Minority Floor leader of the Senate
- State Auditor or a designee
- City's Mayor or designee
- LRC appointed members:
- Two county taxpayers who are not employees of the district, have knowledge or experience in education, and have children who are currently attending or recently graduated (within the past five years) from he district.
- One member with experience in finance, management, and operations of large businesses that operate in Kentucky
- One member who is a certified teacher currently employed in the district with at least five years experience in the district
- One member "from the list of three nominees" recommended by the superintendent who is a principal
It will also review any audits that have been completed, including the audit released earlier this week reviewing JCPS' transportation mess on the first day of school.
The focus on Louisville's public school system stems from its difficult start to the 2023-24 school year, and the failed rollout of a new busing system that led to six days of school being canceled. A group of Kentucky House Republicans sent an open letter to JCPS students, parents and teachers after the first day of school, calling the massive bus issues an "epic failure," and said the district "failed in its most fundamental obligation, which is to keep our kids safe."
"There's been other reports that had been done, but it seems like there really hasn't been a change in attitude to try to correct the outcomes, the measurements that they're using in order to get their kids in a better place so they can get a job or go to school," the resolution's sponsor, Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, said.
The task force would begin July 1, with the idea that it can bring findings to the General Assembly before the 2025 legislative session. Fleming said it could take up splitting JCPS, but also expanding the Board of Education or making it appointed positions.
Spokespeople for the district have said the task force is an attempt to split up JCPS. They said it would be devastating if that were to happen, and would have the most negative impacts on marginalized students.
JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio has also said it would be an "absolute devastation" to break up the district.
But the district said it will cooperate and furnish any information the task force is looking for. It has also offered to host meetings at JCPS schools and offer local community and stakeholder participation and input.
"We will be happy to furnish the task force with any information it desires. We hope the task force chair will accept our invitation to have the meetings in any JCPS school(s) they wish to visit," the district said in a statement. "This will facilitate greater local community and stakeholder participation and input. This will also help task force members see for themselves the great teaching, learning and support for families happening every single school day in JCPS schools."
To learn more about the resolution, click here.
Related Stories:
- Kentucky House committee passes resolution that would create task force to 'monitor' JCPS
- Kentucky lawmakers pass resolution to establish task force for JCPS
- Proposed bill would create task force to review, consider splitting up JCPS
- JCPS superintendent Pollio against splitting district, discusses challenges and highlights at 'State of the District'
- Kentucky Senate president accuses JCPS of stockpiling millions of taxpayer dollars
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