JCPS board member sends scathing letter to principals

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- One day after a vote by the Jefferson County Board of Education to change start times for several schools, a board member has criticized the district's principals.

The letter is addressed as "an open letter to JCPS school and district leaders."

Staff told WDRB News the letter was sent by Chris Kolb to Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio, who by Kolb's request, distributed it to principals.

Kolb begins by expressing appreciation for district leaders and continues, "the vast majority of you are capable, committed, and skilled leaders that JCPS is lucky to have."

In the following paragraph Kolb said there is "frustration and disappointment" in messages that have been communicated by leaders regarding transportation and start times that have been, "unintentionally or not, misleading and are contributing to a damaging narrative about JCPS."

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At Tuesday's board meeting several principals spoke in opposition of the start time scenarios. The board had two start time scenarios for consideration.

Scenario one originally failed but eventually passed. It changes start times for about 40 JCPS schools, and has around 50 elementary schools start the day at 9:40 a.m., the latest of three start times.

Kolb voted against the approved plan.

In his letter he cited school leaders ignored science which supports older students benefit from a later start time.

Elementary school principals expressed during the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting that it is too late of a start time for young learners. While only a handful of people spoke, several attended, wearing red in support.

Middle and high school principals also spoke against the late start times. While the approved plan has middle and high schools start their day at 7:30 or 8:40 a.m., principals said hours before the meeting they were made aware of a "third scenario" that would be introduced and voted on.

Pollio said during the meeting there was no third scenario.

A district spokesperson said in a Zoom meeting, Chief of Staff Robert Moore told middle and high school principals much of the feedback on start time scenarios was to have elementary schools start earlier. A spokesperson added Moore wanted to make principals aware of that feedback.

Addressing the "third scenario" in his letter, Kolb said, "whomever started or contributed to this misperception significantly damaged the board’s ability to stay focused on the most salient factors as we deliberated an extremely difficult issue. In reality, there are always a huge number of options the board can choose from. Last night, the board could have voted to start many schools at 4 a.m. and it would have been Dr. Pollio’s job to figure out how to make it work."

Towards the end, Kolb addresses K-12 education will face more change in the future, and hopes "you (school leaders) commit yourself to work together, to be imaginative, and to innovate in ways that benefit the greatest number of students possible. However, if you feel that you are not up to the task of leading through what will be a rapidly evolving environment then please consider that it may be best for you and for the children of Jefferson County that you step aside and allow someone to lead who will embrace the opportunities that crisis presents."

In conclusion, Kolb finishes the letter by explaining the board's only employee is Pollio, and that principals' sentiments and actions taken regarding transportation and start times reflects poorly on Pollio. Kolb adds if he were Pollio, he would be angry about the actions of people he hired or promoted.

Kolb finished, "the board is in the process of conducting Dr. Pollio’s annual evaluation. In my view, many of your actions over the last few months are likely to result in a far less positive evaluation than I would have thought possible."

Michelle Pennix is a retired JCPS principal and described the letter as, "complete disgust, frustration and outright anger."

"Principals, I will honestly say more than anyone, they have been there and showing up every single day," Pennix said. "Through the bus tragedies, the trauma of this school year, and for this to be how we end this year and move into a new year is unacceptable."

Pennix said she is disappointed Pollio would pass that message on to principals.

"Once I read the letter, honestly, I had feelings that the reason it was sent through Pollio, and he allowed it to go to principals is because he agreed with the sentiments expressed by Chris Kolb," Pennix said.

Pat Mathison has two grandsons that attend JCPS and described the letter as, "disgusting," and called for Kolb's resignation.

"Our kids to have to keep suffering through this year after year after year, they promise one thing and then they get to it, they can’t deliver and then they want to force a decision, that’s not fair," Mathison said. "They want to create a disruption in JCPS so the state can take over, they got it."

Mathison said what is disheartening is that the semantics, takes away from children.

"Our kids have to keep suffering through this year after year after year," said Mathison. "They promise one thing, and then they get to it, they can't deliver and then they want to force a decision, that's not fair."

On Thursday. JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan provided a statement:

"Dr. Pollio fully supports all JCPS principals and their passion for their schools and families. The nationwide bus driver shortage - and JCPS losing nearly half of its bus drivers over the past decade - has been and continues to be extremely difficult on the superintendent, JCPS staff, students, families, and Board members. Dr. Pollio appreciates the willingness of principals to share their thoughts and feedback with the Board.

In regard to the letter written by Dr. Kolb - one of Dr. Pollio’s seven bosses - Dr. Kolb asked Dr. Pollio to distribute the email to all JCPS principals, which the superintendent did through the assistant superintendents."

Board member Linda Duncan shared she was surprised Kolb addressed principals in a critical way and said his actions may be a question for the board attorney.

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