LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A proposed plan to restructure Jefferson County’s school board is drawing pushback from local civil rights leaders who are asking Gov. Andy Beshear to step in.
The Louisville branch of the NAACP is urging a veto of Senate Bill 4, a measure that would reshape how the Jefferson County Public Schools Board of Education is structured.
Under the proposal, the board would shrink from seven members to five, and district boundaries would be redrawn — changes the group says could shift who is able to win seats in future elections.
NAACP leaders warn that the new map could make it more difficult for African American candidates to be elected, raising concerns about whether the board would continue to reflect the community it serves.
They’re also criticizing how the bill advanced, saying residents were not given enough opportunity to weigh in before key decisions were made.
The organization said the scale of the changes could create challenges for the district if implemented quickly, potentially affecting stability across the school system.
In addition, the group questioned whether the proposal meets federal protections under the Voting Rights Act, pointing to concerns about fair representation.
The bill now awaits action from Beshear. Even if he vetoes it, state lawmakers have the authority to override that decision and enact the measure.
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