Thousands of JCPS students return to class Thursday on 1st day of school

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- About 96,000 Jefferson County Public Schools students returned to class Thursday for the first day of school, and at least 40,000 of those students were expected to use buses to get to school and back.

Superintendent Brian Yearwood was at the Nichols Bus Compound early Thursday as buses began heading out to bus stops to pick up students and take them to school. He said he has great expectations for students in his first year at the helm of the state's largest school district.

"The expectation is that every child grows at least a year academically in a year's time," Yearwood said. "So that means reading and math. If they're on the 3rd grade level at the end of this year, they should be on a fourth grade level. The expectation is that they grow at least a year during this year's time, and I'm very excited about that."

And by all accounts, it seemed like a successful first day from a transportation perspective. JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan said the last child was dropped off by 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Yearwood moved around to different school campuses throughout the day, saying he wanted to "see the students in action" to start his first year as superintendent.

"I want to meet parents," he said. "I want to be able to immerse myself in this great day, this very first day. I'm looking forward to that."

At Iroquois High School, Yearwood greeted students and shook hands. He said he was impressed by students' responses when asked what their plans for the future are.

"Some of them said, 'I'm going to own my own business' (and) 'I'm gonna be in construction,'" Yearwood said. "And I'm sitting up there going 'They already have a pathway. They already know what they're getting into.' And that's exciting."

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