Progress being made on JCPS's multimillion-dollar construction plan

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's been more than half a century since Jefferson County Public Schools built a new high school, but that will change as the district makes progress on its multi-year and multimillion-dollar facilities plan.

JCPS early childhood education center groundbreaking — Pictured: this frame grab taken from video dated June 13, 2024, JCPS and other local officials taking part in a groundbreaking ceremony for JCPS's fifth childhood education center on the property behind Watterson Elementary School on Breckinridge Lane near Bardstown Road. (WDRB image)

On Thursday, JCPS broke ground on its new early childhood center on Breckenridge Lane. It follows last week's announcement that Hudson Middle School, the newest middle school in the west end, will be built at Broadway and 18th Street on land donated by Molina Health.

Coming soon is construction at Seneca High School. The district plans to have kids continue learning in the old building while it builds a new building across the parking lot on the current athletic fields.

The last high school JCPS built was Ballard in 1968. Re-building Seneca is part of a four-year facilities plan created by JCPS.

"A lot of these buildings are already old," said Myika Little, a JCPS parent.

When it comes to JCPS construction, Little wishes her son's school, Dixie Elementary School, was on the list for a new building but appreciates JCPS efforts to address its aging facilities.

"It's better for the kids," she said.

In February 2023, JCPS announced an expansion to its four-year facilities plan to include Okolona Elementary, Kerrick Elementary, Olmsted Academy South, Westport Middle School, Seneca High School and a new early childhood center.

JCPS originally introduced the four-year plan with the goal of building new schools for Grace James Academy, W.E.B. DuBois and a new west end middle school, which was later named Hudson Middle.

Kerrick Elementary is at the same stage as Seneca High School. Later this month, both school's construction plans are expected to be brought before the JCPS Board of Education for approval. Construction on Seneca is expected to begin by next summer.

"I think we are definitely right where we thought we would be at this time," JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio said.

Okolona Elementary School is in the design phase and expected to be built behind its current location. JCPS is now working to finalize property acquisition with Metro Parks. It plans to build the school behind its current site, on land part of Okolona Park. At 51 years old, the school opened in 1972 and is at the top of the district's facilities replacement list. The design calls for a $40 million two-story building.

JCPS hopes to identify a permanent spot to build Grace James Academy soon.

"We have a lot more to do but this is evident it's going to a dozen facilities in a matter of a decade," Pollio said.

As for what's already happening, JCPS has announced a permanent site to build Hudson Middle School at 18th Street and Broadway.

A new W.E.B DuBois Academy is under construction. The plan calls for a 178,000-square-foot facility with a three-story academic wing and a gymnasium wing off Poplar Level Road.

It is also in the midst of a major renovation projects, including Atherton High School. Atherton's $54 million renovation include a new, three-story classroom addition at the center of the school's campus. According to the school's application, the new building will be more than 20,000 square feet. The money will also be spent on renovations to the school's HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems.

Atherton High School expansion rendering 2-16-24 — Jefferson County Public Schools is set to spend $54 million to improve and expand Atherton High School in Louisville. (Studio Kremer Architects rendering/Feb. 16, 2024)

In the last few years, JCPS has opened Indian Trail Elementary, Wilkerson Elementary, Perry Elementary and Echo Trial Middle School.

"I think it's really good," Little said.

Early estimates for new construction and renovations part of the four year plan cost roughly $645 million.

In 2020, the district pushed for a tax rate hike, advocating to improve its facilities. The increase was challenged in courts, but survived.

The four-year plan is part of a 10-year vision to continue new construction and renovation projects across JCPS. The district's next batch of new schools include: Alex Kennedy Elementary, Audubon Elementary, Cochrane Elementary, Goldsmith Elementary, McFerran Elementary, St. Matthews Elementary, Wellington Elementary, Wilt Elementary, Zachary Taylor Elementary, Carrithers Middle, Iroquois High, Western High, and another early childhood center.

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