JCPS school board picks replacement for District 1 seat

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – The Jefferson County Board of Education selected Louisville resident Gail Logan Strange as a replacement for the open District 1 seat.

The seat became open in October after the resignation of board chair Diane Porter due to health reasons. Kentucky state law requires the vacant seat to be filled with 60 days. The deadline was Dec. 23.

"I am committed to making sure the constituents in District 1 have the best education experiences and outcome as possible," Strange said.

Strange was sworn in minutes after her appointment. She was one of five applicants under consideration. The board unanimously approved her appointment.

"She understands District 1 understands the constituency of District One and has passion for education and young people," board member Corrie Shull said.

Strange is a life-long Louisville resident and Central High School graduate. She attended Kentucky State University for undergraduate work and Webster University for grad school.

She recently retied as director of communications with Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Strange was also a communications leader at Brown Williamson Tobacco, and formerly the executive director at Louisville Youth Philanthropy Council.

In 2006, Strange ran for the District 1 board seat, but lost.

Strange said if selected, she wanted to reduce the academic achievement gap for students of color and students who are economically disadvantaged.

Strange will also take on the district's potential decision to limit busing in Jefferson County Public Schools. Due to ongoing bus problems, the district will make a decision in early 2024 on who gets a seat on the bus.

At this point, the district said it can only guarantee transportation for special education students and students who attend their reside school for the 2024-25 school year.

"Clearly it's an issue whenever kids are getting home from school late because of transportation," Strange said. "So, I think there needs to be continued studies and really look at situation on how it can best be handled."

Strange has been selected to finish out the remainder of Porter's term. The seat will be up for reelection November 2024. Strange said she intends to run then.

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