JCPS to break ground on new elementary school next to west Louisville YMCA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new Jefferson County Public Schools elementary school will be built in west Louisville.

During a JCPS board retreat Tuesday night, members approved a bid of $27.9 million for the new school.

"This was their final approval," Superintendent Marty Pollio said. "We accepted a bid from a company to begin the process of building a school, which means we'll be breaking ground very shortly and we will start to see construction moving forward from this point on."

The new elementary school will be built in the grassy lot next to the YMCA on West Broadway. The school and the Y will be connected with a walkway. Pollio said that connection will allow students access to the gym and other facilities at the Y.

Pictured: JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio (WDRB file photo)

"It's what I like to think of as a true community school," he said.

Students from nearby Roosevelt-Perry and Wheatley Elementary will feed into the new school.

Pollio said Roosevelt-Perry is becoming home to the Grace James Academy this August, and many Roosevelt-Perry students will be going to Wheatley Elementary School at that time. Students will then transition to the new building once it opens.

Pictured: Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School (WDRB file photo).

It's still unclear what will happen with the Wheatley Elementary building once the new school opens for students.

"We'll be making that decision over the next 18 months once we finish this school," Pollio said.

He's hopeful a groundbreaking can take place within the next six weeks.

Pollio said his goal is to have the new school open in December 2022 or January 2023.

"We could be able to transition those kids around the holiday break from the old school and they would come back from the holiday break into the brand new school," Pollio said.

Wheatley Elementary School, JCPS — Pictured: Phillis Wheatley Elementary School (WDRB file photo).

A name has not been chosen yet for the new elementary school, but Pollio said there has been discussion about it.

"There is a real commitment to ensure we still honor Phillis Wheatley and the Perry name," he said.

JCPS broke ground on two other elementary schools last fall. To learn about construction in the Newburg community, click here. To learn about construction in southwest Louisville, click here.

"I'm proud of the fact that right now we have schools under construction in west Louisville, in the Newburg community and in the south end of Louisville," Pollio said.