LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The search for the next superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools is underway, with a process expected to take several months.
Community members, students, and education advocates are already focusing on the qualities they hope to see in the district’s next leader.
The search for a new superintendent comes as current JCPS leader Dr. Marty Pollio prepares to retire at the end of this school year. Parents, teachers, and community leaders have been engaged in shaping the selection process to ensure broad representation.
Louisa Sarpee, a 10th-grade student at Central High School, is a member of the search advisory committee. She shared her hopes for a superintendent who prioritizes student perspectives.
“Someone who is caring and who sees a vision and actually cares about student voices,” Sarpee said.
Collaborative, innovative, compassionate, integrity, balance and visionary were all qualities that came up at the search advisory committee meeting Tuesday night.
The Louisville Urban League’s Lyndon Pryor highlighted the importance of community involvement in choosing the next leader of JCPS.
“To have more input, to have more information, to be able to really discern what it is that the community wants and needs,” Pryor said.
On Tuesday, the advisory committee reviewed a draft survey that will soon be distributed to district families. The survey aims to gather insights into the community’s priorities for the new superintendent, touching on issues ranging from leadership qualities to pressing operational concerns.
“It was an open discussion,” Pryor explained. “We talked a lot about a lot of communities, some who are not at the table as well, so it really did feel like a great step, and this is a really good process for us to undertake as a group.”
Transportation was a key topic of discussion. Revisions to the survey will include more specific references to this challenge, reflecting the district’s ongoing struggles with student busing.
Sarpee said students should get a copy of the survey, too.
“I think that it’s a good starter, but overall I think it needs more improvement and to be more inclusive,” she said.
The survey is expected to go live next month, alongside the application for the superintendent position. The goal is to select and hire the new leader by June.
As the process unfolds, JCPS and its advisory committee will continue to seek input to ensure the next superintendent reflects the vision and needs of the entire district.
Previous Coverage:
- Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio announces his retirement
- 'Difficult job' | Retiring JCPS superintendent vows to stay committed to public education
- JCPS begins search for new superintendent as board accepts Dr. Marty Pollio's retirement
- JCPS superintendent looks back on his time leading Louisville's public school district
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