November Election | Here are the candidates running for a seat on the JCPS Board of Education

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Eight different people have filed to run for Jefferson County Public Schools' Board of Education, vying for four seats up for election this November.

Out of the four, only one current sitting board member is running for election. Gail Logan Strange, of District 1, faces one challenger.

Board member Chris Kolb, who represents District 2, announced his decision to drop out of the race after not receiving an endorsement from the Jefferson County Teachers Association.

In April, WDRB learned Sarah McIntosh, from District 7, and Joe Marshall, from District 4, will not run again. 

Note: As candidates respond to questions, WDRB will update this story. Answers have not been edited by WDRB.

District One

• Gail Logan Strange:
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc. 

    • I retired in November 2023 as Director of Communications from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Currently I am self-employed as a Strategic Communications Consultant.  Prior to that I served as Director of Corporate and Community relations for Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. After leaving Brown  Williamson, I became the Executive Director of the Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council. An organization dedicated to teaching high school students to run and operate their own 501(C)3.

      I began my education at Virginia Avenue Elementary, which is now Carter Elementary. After that I attended junior high at DuValle and matriculated to the Historic Central High School. Following graduation from Central I attended Kentucky State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. I also obtained my Kentucky secondary teacher’s certificate. I obtained my Master of Arts Degree in Human Relations and Management from Webster University.

      I have served on numerous boards locally and across the country. Most recently I chaired The World Day of Prayer USA. I am currently a member of the Saint John’s Center’s board and previously served on the Louisville Regional Airport Authority board and chaired the board of the Louisville Urban League among others

      I have a granddaughter, three great grandchildren and several great, great nieces and nephews that attend school in Jefferson County. My granddaughter and one of my great, great nieces attend Male High School. They participate in after school activities which I attend and support. Additionally, I take my great, great niece and nephew to Foster each morning. I think Foster is an absolute gem of a school. Each morning the staff greet the students with upbeat music and a smile. If it’s raining the staff meet the students with umbrellas. The principal and the teachers are amazing. They care about every aspect of the student to ensure their academic success.

• • Why did you decide to run?
    
    • I decided to run for the Jefferson County Public School board because it would afford me an opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life of future leaders of the city. As the incumbent, I want to continue to advocate for the children and families that live and go to school in District 1. Continuing to serve as the District 1 representative allows me the opportunity to share my many years of experience in strategic planning and leading organizational change to provide the governance and develop the policies needed to guide and continue to improve the quality of education in Jefferson County. A quality education is critically important for every child. For a child to receive a quality education however, it takes vision, planning, and a desire to see all children succeed. To ensure the success of each student, it is important that parents and children have the ability to choose the school that best fits the learning style and provides the necessary resources needed. As a resident of West Louisville which includes District 1, I am committed to bringing my skill sets and desire to see all students succeed, regardless of their zip code or economic status, to the JCPS board. Additionally, if selected to fill this position I could utilize my years of corporate communications to help develop messages that would advocate for and express the interests and the commitment of the JCPS board to empower students, educators and all those that are a part of JCPS to operate at optimum levels. The great Muhammad Ali said, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." There is no room more important in Jefferson County and the city of Louisville than the classroom. It would be my honor to "pay the rent" through service on this board for the education and the success of our city's children.

• • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?

    • Horace Mann, often referred to as the Father of Common Education, once said, " “Education, then, beyond all other divides of human origin, is a great equalizer of conditions of men—the balance wheel of the social machinery.” if elected to JCPS Board of Education  I would like to develop policies and vision that would  lead to the reduction of  the academic achievement gap between students of color and economically disadvantaged and other students by a minimum of 85%.

• • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?

    • I think each student should be afforded the opportunity to attend the school that works best for their interests and learning styles.  That also includes the ability to attend a school close to their home. Which dictates that every school have all of the human, fiscal, and facility resources it needs to help every student that choses to attends that school flourish.  I am opposed to Amendment 2 which will be on the ballot in November.

      I am absolutely opposed to using funds designated for public schools being used to support alternative school choices.  Diverting tax dollars for alternative school choices reduces the funds that are available to public schools.

      Additionally, alternative schools have the luxury of picking and choosing the students they want in their schools. At any time, they can dismiss a student from their school according to their rules and regulations. If that child returns to JCPS the funding that went to that alternative school for that child would not be returned to JCPS. Likewise, vouchers and tuition tax credits also sypher funds from public schools. Parents choosing to send their children to schools outside of JCPS should be fully prepared to bear the cost of that education.

• • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?

    • The transportation issue is complicated. The driver shortage plays a critical role in the realty of this matter. However, it is my opinion that more time was needed and more consultation with the consultant hired to look at the logistic of “what went wrong”  and what was working. The district also needed to spend more time community resources like TARC and UPS. I believe taking transportation away from magnet and traditional school student was a mistake and inequitable decision. In my opinion it also served to build distrust between the JCPS district, and the Board and the community. This decision particularly adversely impacted the students in and schools in  District 1.

• Mark Gatton:
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc. 
    • I am currently on disability and not working. This is a highlight of past occupations. 
      After graduation in 1985, Whittenburg Construction, Captain D's, and Kustus Hydrolics. 
      Air Force May 1986 - Jan 1995
      Riverside Sheriff's Department, 1991-1995
      1995, Sunnymeade Veterinary Clinic, Surgery Manager
      Mills Detective Agency, Special Police Officer
      Brooklawn Youth Services, Direct Care Counselor
      Boys Haven, Direct Care Counselor
      Oxmoor Mall, Special Police Officer 
      Spring Medows Children's Home, Direct Care Counselor
      Code 3 Lockouts
      St. Joe's Children's Home, Direct Care Counselor
      Pop-A-Lock
      Charter/Spectrum Communications, Internet and Phone Repair
      Schools Attended: Jeffersontown and Camp Taylor Elementary, Durrett High School (8th grade), and Atherton High School. Riverside Academy of Justice, CA, California Specialized Training Institute, Jefferson Community College, Spencerian Community College.
      Hobbies included camping, hiking, horseback riding/training, reading, fishing, computer games, and shooting.

• • Why did you decide to run?
    • I decided to finally run mainly because of the transportation problems and dismal test scores for JCPS. My Godson whom I raised from 8 years old to 14 years old is losing transportation to school next year. His home school is Iroquois and I got him into Fairdale for the Heavy Equipment course; he wants to operate heavy cranes as his career. I grew up in a construction-working family and am pro-trades in schools. JCPS cut transportation for magnet school students, and we are looking at new ways to get him there. This not only affects us but it also affects around 16,000 magnet school students as well. This is unacceptable. So, instead of just complaining about it want to do something about it with the help of the community. I feel JCPS no longer listens to the parents/guardians, students, and taxpayers of Jefferson County. I want to work for the people of Jefferson County and advocate for them. I feel the Board has lost sight of who they work for. They work for the residents of Jefferson County, not the other way around. This is how I feel as someone that has to fight this battle every year. It's always some kind of drama that didn't need to be.

• • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • I hope to find a solution to the transportation problems that are currently plaguing JCPS. I want to solicit suggestions from parents/guardians, students, and the residents of Jefferson County. I think it is a problem with many side issues that need to be addressed that have caused this problem.

• • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • JCTA sent me a packet and asked I fill it out to see if they would give me their support. I agree with a lot of what they stand for but there are a few things I do not. School choice is one of them. If JCPS can't deliver the quality education that parents expect, and students deserve It is the parent's responsibility to seek a better choice. It's not the parent's fault that JCPS has dismal test scores and kids are graduating who can't read or do basic math. If the Board and JCPS did their job, there would be no need for charter schools or a school choice bill. So yes, I am for school choice.

• • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • Transportation, my goodness, where to start. It is a hot mess. It's many problems that have come together to create where we are. After talking with other parents/guardians, students and friends, we seem to all agree that it all starts with the behavior of the students. Students acting out while on the busses to include drug use/trafficking, having sex, assault and battery on drivers and other students, etc. Students no longer are being held accountable for anything it seems. Kick those that cause the problems off the busses and you will have more bus drivers. Put video cameras on EVERY bus. If the student(s) can not maintain their behavior on the bus and in school, they can stay home and learn. If they kids act out like this on the bus, in public and at school, where do you think they learn it? It all starts at home and someone else needs to get involved (CPS, law enforcement, etc).
      Excessively long bus routes play another important role. Stop bussing kids all over the county. I recently learned that the West End has not had a school built in about 100 years. WOW! That is absurd. Put kids back into neighborhood schools, fix underachieving schools, repair or build more schools. I realize that there is no simple way to fix the problems but, you have to start somewhere, and everyone isn't going to like it. In short, get the kids off the buses that are causing the problems and JCPS will retain more drivers. 

District Two

*Abby Berthold withdrew from this race on Sept. 13, 2024 and is no longer seeking election

• Abby Berthold
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc.   
    • I am employed by Northwestern Mutual as a Sr. Learning Experience Designer and I also run my own business, Liam & Hold. I was a teacher and coach for 11.5 years before transitioning into corporate instructional design. I went to elementary school in Lewisville, TX, middle and high school in South Bend, IN. I got my undergrad degree at the University of Dayton in Adolescent to Young Adult Education and Mathematics and my masters at the University of Louisville in Teacher Leadership. In my free time I like to participate in book clubs with some friends, hang with my dogs, redo furniture, and travel with my husband. 
      
      
  • Why did you decide to run?
    • I want to bring a fresh voice, logical thinking, and my experience to the board. I want to take the focus back to student outcomes and influence positive change. When I left the classroom, I was still called to help in some way and I believe this is an excellent way to do that. I believe the extremes are often at odds with each other and a lack of focus on a common goal, which I hope to change. Also, I can't remember, since I've lived here, when a former teacher served on the school board, and I feel like that's a voice often missing. 
      
      
  • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • Only prioritize initiatives and policies that directly enhance student learning and achievement. I would love to look at what is currently required and the data behind what that initiative has achieved. I would also love to promote and help aid in more community involvement. To foster a collaborative welcoming environment where parents, teachers, and community members are actively involved and working to help better JCPS. To build strong partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions to support student learning, career readiness, and real-world experiences, aiding both parents and teachers in helping to educate the whole child.
      
      
  • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • As of now, school choice is really in the hands of the voters. If amendment 2 passes on the ballot in November then it will be up to legislators to propose and pass bills pertinent to the amendment. If that happens the voters have spoken, but it is imperative that as a school board member of the largest district in the state that I work with my colleagues to come together as a united force and work with legislators so that we are ALL working together on school bills that are in the best interest of JCPS students while also preserving the foundation of our public school system and our community. It ultimately always has to go back to what is in the best interest of the kids and what is going to be equitable. I can see this becoming a slippery slope and that’s what worries me. I struggle with funds moving to other schools but those schools not being upheld to the same standards public schools are, especially in regards to servicing those with special needs. 
      
      
  • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • I am sure there are some very competent people in the JCPS transportation department already and it's not an easy fix, so I'd like to start there. I don't doubt there is some improvement that can be made, but some of that is multifaceted and includes a driver shortage but also the problems we see on the buses making it difficult for our drivers to adequately and safely do their job. I am curious as to if the project manager was hired to help institute major programs, specifically for the transportation department, and if that has not happened I think it's a very necessary first step. I would also hope that there are continued efforts to look into transportation and that the department/district doesn't just take the current decision as a final one from here on out. 

• Tricia Lister
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc.   
    • I was born in Valley Station back before the city and county school systems were merged. At seven, I moved into the city but didn't really settle into one area of town. I ended up being educated in 6 different Elementary schools. Dixie, Bashford Manor, Chenoweth, and George Rogers Clark Elementary Schools with summer school at Layne and Prestonia Elementary Schools. I had a very happy childhood as the middle child with an older sister and a younger brother. For middle and high school I attended Brown School, which is where I graduated and went straight to Earlham College, a small Quaker College in Indiana, with a short stint at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. At Earlham I earned my B.A. in mathematics. After graduation, I moved to San Francisco where I worked briefly as a preschool teacher. That job ended when the teachers went on strike, and I was unwilling to cross the strike line. Using my experience working at libraries during college, I landed a job at the California Supreme Court Library for several years. I moved back to Louisville after my first child was born, and was a stay-at-home-mom for eight years. The day my youngest child turned three, I started law school at the University of Louisville. I graduated from law school in 2005 and began my career as a criminal defense and appeals attorney. My three children are all JCPS graduates, attending Brown, Noe, and Manual. While my Children were at Brown, I served on the Brown School SBDM for six years, including serving on two principal selection committees. My kids are all grown-up now, but we all enjoy getting together regularly. My husband and I live in the Highlands with our two dogs. We love live music, going to the theater, running, hiking, and backpacking. I also enjoy reading and playing bridge. In my spare time, I serve on the Boards of The Louisville Bar Association, The Women Lawyers Association (last year, I was the President), Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Stage One, and The Political Women’s Council

• • Why did you decide to run?
    • Thriving public schools are the cornerstone of a healthy city and democracy. As a metropolitan school system, JCPS faces many challenges. Transportation, teacher shortages, threats to break up the district, and a lack of outreach to involve community stakeholder in important decisions. As a criminal defense lawyer, I see firsthand, people in bad situations brought about partially by schools failing to engage students and meet their needs. Our community suffers a loss when children do not thrive in school. As a lawyer, I have experience and skills that can help JCPS navigate the challenges they have been facing. The status quo is not working; it’s time for change. I will bring my analytical and negotiation skills to my position on the Board. I will bring my particular skills with being able to read and interpret the law – my knowledge about how to stretch it and how to enforce it.

• • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • I hope to bring about greater participation by all stakeholders in the problem-solving JCPS badly needs. The public schools are about all of us, and all the voices need to be included. I hope to bring about transparency and ease of participation in Board proceedings. I also hope to improve our relationship with Frankfort, so that we can work together on mutual goals.

• • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • I strongly oppose the Constitutional Amendment that will be on the ballot this November which would allow state dollars to go to private or charter schools. I am fully in support of JCPS. Taking dollars away from JCPS will not solve anything. I oppose bringing Charter Schools to Louisville. Some studies have shown charter schools to be successful at providing meaningful choices to parents in struggling school systems. Other studies have shown that the addition of charter schools again resolves into inequitable schools. The goal is to provide equitable access to high quality schools for every student. Charter schools have not been shown to achieve this goal. The issue with charter schools is that they don’t deliver significantly greater outcomes than public schools. There are a few shining examples, but there are also a few shining examples in public systems. When you compare the best charter school to the worst public school, obviously they look great. When you compare the best public school to the worst charter school, vice-versa. In the end, if they don’t deliver better outcomes guaranteed, the risk of removing public dollars from the system is too great. Likewise, vouchers and tuition tax credits take money out of the system and will not help JCPS succeed.

• • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • I would like to get more stakeholders involved in problem-solving regarding transportation. More needs to be understood about what is causing the issues. The temporary TARC solution is a good example of creative problem solving. We need more solutions. We need to involve parents, administrators, and community members to look at how we can improve the bussing issues. If it is discipline, let’s review the disciplinary process. If it is the routes, let's ask the state legislature to allow for more technology in buses to help ease routes and decrease the number of stops in neighborhoods. There is more than one way to solve this problem. Taking buses from thousands of students and parents is not the best solution; it was the easiest. All magnet schools should be accessible for all students in the county.

District Four

• Trevin Bass
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc.  
    • My name is Trevin Bass, currently I am a grants contract coordinator for office of safety and healthy neighborhoods with metro Louisville. ( OSHN ). Prior to accepting this position I was a legislative assistant for district 3. I am a proud JCPS student from elementary - Price elementary, Newburg and Thomas Jefferson middle school and the great Seneca magnet career academy high school. after high school i went to Spalding university in which I obtained my Bachelor of Science in psychology. I have a host of family members who still attend JCPS with my own children as wellbeing students of the system. On my free time I like to relax with my family, listening and creating music, traveling, coaching little league sport, mentoring, and eating my some of favorite dishes. 

• • Why did you decide to run?
    • My interest in serving on the Jefferson County Board of Education strikes from my ongoing dedication to “being a part of the solution and not just complain about the issues at hand”. Over two decades and counting I’ve served as a mentor, PTA president, vice president of finances and fundraising, a proud JCPS graduate from Seneca HS and overall, a product of what the village looks like. As a father, uncle, cousin etc. I am obligated to ensure the future has a chance with people fighting for them as they’ll one day fight for and make decisions for me. my interest is to be a part of the solution for JCPS schools for ALL its students. From experience I know all schools aren’t the same however the purpose of me running is to ensure that majority if not all are the same. some schools my relatives attend isn’t as equipped as the one’s others attend and that’s a temporary issue that will be solved . I am aware of the challenges faced and ready to accept the job to make things better for us all.

• • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • If elected to the school board, i look to bring positive change starting with transportation and student’s educational challenges. I also have a focus on nutrition and employment opportunities as well. the overall focus is to truly have a better education for Kentucky at whole. 

• • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • I believe that everyone should indeed have the choice in which their student attends for education, however I do believe that the bill will provide more issues than intended. HB2 although seems structured to benefit all students, it is concern that it will take away from the public school system as funding and support would be transferred from public to private/ charter effecting students, staff, and overall families who unfortunately wasn’t able to benefit from the intended purpose of the bill. HB2 will take away opportunities and careers as it will compete with little to no jurisdiction on qualifications and is needed to be an educator compared to the public school system. Before the bill is approved and executed, we should focus on getting the public schools on a level playing field instead of adding fuel to the fire of destruction. 

• • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • MY thoughts on JCPS Transportation are as follows: We must reevaluate safety and compensation (is the driver protected? How is the driver supported by its supervisors. Priorities the youth first allowing the older students to travel via third party. Such as TARC etc. What does discipline / consequences look like and how is it carried out? we should go back to suspensions and holding students and parents accountable for transportation is truly a privilege and not abiding by the policy is a safety hazard that should and will be addressed moving forward if elected on the school board. 

• Barbara Lewis
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc. 
    • Hello, my name is Barbara Lewis, and I am excited to run as District 4 Candidate for JCPS School Board. I am a 27, year resident of Louisville, Kentucky, for 25 of those years I have lived and raised my family of within the District 4 and District 1 community. I was raised as the eldest of four in Los Angeles California by a single mother. At the age of 13 I dropped out of school to care for my family, and it was during my late teen years I meet a couple from Louisville, Kentucky who lived in California. They gave me guidance, love and inspiration to reach for my dreams. That couple returned to Louisville Kentucky and shortly after my son and I followed.
    •  As a single mother I wanted more for my than 3-year son and so in my mid 30” s I accomplished my GED through the JCPS Adult School. Shortly after I attend a program through FOUR-C’S Community Child Care Cooperation which assist me in achieving required credentials to open “A Child of The King Child Care Center one of the first childcare centers to earn 4-Stars through the Kentucky Stars Program. From 2014 to 2018 I accomplished my Bachelors of Christian Studies and Pastoral Ministry’s at Campbellsville University, where I am currently scheduled to graduate with my Master of Marriage and Family Therapy Class of 2025.

    • Much like my educational goals and accomplishments my career goals have served and continues to serve the community in many compacities from the educational plate form, community development. entrepreneurship and spiritual leadership.

      Jefferson County Public Schools:

      • My career with JCPS begin as a School Bus Driver. From the year 2000 to 2002 I transported JCPS student’s safety from their home to their school and back again.
      • In 2017 while attending Campbellsville, University I served as a JCPS preferred sub-statute teacher at Valley High School and continued to work with ECE Behavior and Learning Students until accepting my current position as Valley High School FRYSC- Youth Service Center Coordinator.
      • My current hobbies are writing, I am currently working on my first book as an author

• • Why did you decide to run?
    • I choice the decision to run as JCPS School Board District 4 Candidate, to be a voice for our students, families, and educators by advocating for fair and equitable change that fosters academic, economic, career and mental health advancement for all.
    • And finally, I have decided to run as a candidate for JCPS School Board District 4 because of my passion for all youth to receive a high-quality education within an environment that promotes physical, mental and emotional wellness. That they may transition into our society as heathy and fully rounded adults.
  • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • To work in collaboration with fellow JCPS Board members, educators, students, families, FRYSC and community stake holders in addressing our educational crisis within JCPS.
    • To assess the current curriculum and its effectiveness for all dynamics of students is it working and why or why not.
    • To address the mental-health crisis among our JCPS students and their families, educators and faculty (special emphasis on our students).
    • To address the learning gaps within the underserved and minority student community
    • To address educators and faculty racial equity training and how its applied within the classroom
    • To implement more intense and effective diversity training for all JCPS educators and faculty throughout the district.
    • To implement more intense and interactive family and community engagement within JCPS district.
  • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • My answer to question is this, “All parents should at the least have the right to discuss the future of their child’s education this bill gives the families a right to have the discuss”  I will speak more on tis matter as we draw nearer to election day in November.
  • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • As a former JCPS School Bus Driver, I know how essential JCPS transportation is for students and their families. Without transportation many students who are already facing so many other barriers now must add one more to their list “how will I get my child to school”. This is a big problem, but I believe it is resolvable. I think that although this has truly affected our students in a negative way, I am happy that currently JCPS is taking new steps to resolving this crisis. For example, establishing community partnership with the Louisville, TARC public bus services. In addition, I believe that establishing community partnerships with local religious organizations as well as pr to providing trained staff to accompany on bus routes that have shown a history of unacceptable behavior, along with increasing sign-on and yearly bonuses for bus drivers would be a solution to increasing the retention rate of good bus.

*Destiny Livers withdrew from this race on Oct. 4, 2024 and is no longer seeking election

• Destiny Livers
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc.  
    • I am running for the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Board of Education District 4.
    • My name is Dr. Destiny Livers. I am currently a Program Coordinator with University Instructors a company that provides impactful instructional services to our K-12 school partners—to enhance the achievement of ALL students and build local talent pipelines. In this role, I help manage staff and provide coaching and support to our staff. I am a former JCPS teacher who spent most of my career at Stephen Foster Traditional Academy. Upon departing from JCPS, I shifted my focus to policy work centered around education. Throughout this transition, I've remained dedicated to advocating for equitable education for JCPS students and actively engaging as a community partner. 
    • I graduated from Jefferson County Public Schools. My educational journey began at Stephen Foster Traditional Academy for elementary school, followed by Barret Traditional Middle School for middle school, and concluded at Louisville Male High School, where I earned my diploma. I went on to receive my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Louisville. I then went on to obtain my Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, and my Doctor of Education in Leadership from Spalding University.
    • Furthermore, I have been a member of many committees that impact our students in JCPS. I have served as a JCTA Rep, been a council Member for the School-Based Decision-Making Committee, and served as a community member for Justice Fest, etc.
    • In my free time, I enjoy serving my community, mentoring the youth, traveling, spending time with family, and indulging in my creative side to experiment with graphic design or other creative efforts

• • Why did you decide to run?
    • I am interested in serving on the Jefferson County Board of Education because of my passion for public education and ensuring that students, families, and teachers are supported. Our students deserve access to equitable educational opportunities. I believe that the current issues that JCPS is facing should be considered a state of emergency. School board members play a crucial role in making decisions about the curriculum, budgets, transportation, and other important aspects of education.
    • I will have the chance to advocate for students, families, and educators, and to work towards improving the quality of education provided to all students. As an education advocate, former JCPS teacher, JCTA rep, and KEA member I understand the importance of the Board of Education and the decisions they make. Serving on the JCPS Board of Education is a way that I can help use my experience, passion, and knowledge to help create a difference. I like to say I am adding the “facts to my fire” (passion) so that I can help create necessary change.

• • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • I consider myself to be a life-long educator. Should I be elected to the JCPS Board of Education, I aim to help cultivate an educational environment where students, teachers, staff, and the community all feel secure, supported, and valued. In alignment with my vision to ensure that every stakeholder has a voice, I recognize that building and maintaining an equitable educational system requires collective effort. As a former JCPS student and teacher, I am committed to advocating for students and ensuring that they have effective educational and emotional support. I aspire to help co-create and foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive school system. Our students deserve the best educational experiences and curricula to help them grow and learn.

• • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • I have a strong commitment to strengthening and supporting public education meaning, I am not in favor of the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice. In the future, it may divert funding away from public schools. Jefferson County Public Schools is a robust and diverse school system that needs resources, staff, and funding. My ultimate goal is to help strengthen the Jefferson County Public Schools system and not take resources and funding away from it.

• • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • I am truly concerned about the challenges JCPS faces with transportation. This issue is one of the primary motivations driving my candidacy for the JCPS Board of Education, District 4. I believe in ensuring that all students have reliable access to transportation. Personally, my ability to attend Louisville Male Traditional High School was made possible by having access to reliable transportation options.
    • The transportation challenge represents an equity issue that requires comprehensive solutions. I recommend exploring partnerships with logistics companies, engaging the community, and maintaining a persistent commitment to revising strategies at a leadership level. Furthermore, I believe that improving driver training and support, implementing improved student behavior management plans, and collaborating with local agencies, transportation experts, and community organizations could be beneficial to ensure that all students have access to transportation.

District Seven

• Taylor Everett
  • Tell us about yourself: occupation, education, hobbies, etc.  
    • I was born in Phoenix Arizona but moved to Pittsburgh at age 4 and grew up there, attending public School in Upper St Clair. I'm the oldest of 3 brothers and my mom and step dad still love in Pittsburgh. Graduated UofL in 2011 with a marketing degree and minor in entrepreneurship. I've lived in Louisville full time since graduation. I'm a Pittsburgh and Louisville sports fan and an avid Pickleball player.
      
      I have a daughter who will be a sophomore at Ballard this upcoming school year and is on the cheer team. My wife of 10 years was an educator in JCPS for 10 years and is currently a Pilates instructor. We also have 2 dogs, Oscar and Scarlett.
      
      I'm currently the Director of Government Services for Eight Eleven Group. The company I work for specializes in staffing services and my department works exclusively with all levels of government.

• • Why did you decide to run?
    • I want to do everything I can help help the kids in our community and strengthen our city as a whole. I also couldn't stand everyone around me saying there was nothing that could be done to improve the school district and our politics as a whole.
      
      Also, with a daughter in the district and a wife who worked in it I have seen the good and bad from both angles.

• • What is it you hope to accomplish if elected to JCPS Board of Education?
    • My main goals are to fix the staffing shortage, improve student behavior and ensure all students are at grade level for reading and math. There is no reason JCPS should not be a top school district in the country!

• • What do you think of school choice and the proposed constitutional amendment related to school choice that will be on the ballot?
    • I am happy that a decision like this is being left up to the people. I see pros and cons of the proposal but won't pretend to be an expert. Whatever the people choose won't change my goal of making JCPS the best it can be. If it's approved I believe it needs to be rolled out very slowly. 

• • What are your thoughts on JCPS transportation? Any ideas on how you wish to improve the department?
    • I believe the situation within Transportation has been brewing for a very long time without the proper attention. The leadership and drivers in the field need to be more involved in coming up with solutions. Investment needs to be focused on fixing the staffing issues and utilizing the best technology in the field.