Superintendent Marty Pollio visits kids for last day of school as he prepares to leave JCPS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio spent the last day of his last school year in charge of Kentucky's largest school district visiting with students.

Pollio, who will take over as president of Ivy Tech Community College when he steps down from the district this summer, began his Friday at Wilder Elementary School, which was also the first school he ever visited when he was appointed in 2017.

The last day comes one day after the board announced it will enter into contract negotiations with one of its two finalists for superintendent.

"I promised everyone ... that I will sprint through the finish line," Pollio said Friday. "So the finish line for me, June 30, I’m going to sprint to that finish line and not let up. And so I really haven’t focused on it much and so I’ve just kind of watched what everyone else says. I have not spoken to any board member and can’t confirm anything.”

Last September, Pollio announced he would be stepping down after nearly three decades with Kentucky's largest school district. He was named superintendent in 2017.

Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, said Friday on Facebook that he already reached out to Brian Yearwood and "offered friendship and support" as the district's new superintendent. Earlier this month, the Jefferson County School Board announced Yearwood and Ben Shuldiner as the top two candidates to replace Pollio. JCPS said Thursday night it voted to approve one of the finalists but wanted to wait until contract negotiations were finished before announcing the new superintendent. On Friday, the board members confirmed Yearwood was offered a contract, but negotiations remain ongoing.

Before that happens, though, Pollio spent the day high-fiving with kids and soaking in one last final day of school.

"To see the little bitty ones and their excitement for the last day of school and, really, a lot of them sad because they're going to miss their teachers and principals and staff, to even the seniors who are walking out and this will be their last time, it makes it all worthwhile in education," he said.

When discussing his next job, Pollio said some responsibilities remain the same as his current role, like preparing students for the workforce. He highlighted starting up the Academies of Louisville as a prime example of his commitment to helping students prepare for jobs.

While he said he embraces the next challenge, he is looking forward to leave some things behind associated with K-12 education.

"It may not be elementary school kids, middle and high school kids but it is people going to post-secondary trying to change their lives," he said. "And it's our goal to help them do that and facilitate that. I'm excited about that. I'm also excited that, at Ivy Tech, we have no buses. I'm really excited to not have school buses as I move forward into my next position."

Pollio's last day will be June 30.

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