Bill to allow certain Kentucky cities to form school districts could potentially break up JCPS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Kentucky lawmaker filed a bill this legislative session that would allow incorporated cities to create their own school districts.

While it would apply to the whole state, it could potentially break up Jefferson County Public Schools.

Under House Bill 162, filed by Rep. James Tipton, R-Anderson/Spencer, an incorporated city would have to have a population of at least 5,000 people, and can't have an independent school district within the city's boundaries already established.

Qualifying cities would then be able to petition to create a new school district on their city's ballot.

But not everyone is on board with the idea.

"I don't think it would solve any problem. I think we'll create more," Langston Gaither said.

Gaither is an active JCPS parent, and believes the district is moving in the right direction.

"If these municipalities were to break off into their own thing, they're going to have some issues too, trying to sustain a school system," said Gaither.

Local cities that would qualify include St. Matthews, Middletown, Shively and Jeffersontown.

"After reading it, there are so many explanations that I need answers to and questions that I have for the people that are sponsoring the bill," Jeffersontown Mayor Carol Pike said. "And how would we pay for it, I think is my biggest concern. And what is the amount of money that we are talking about to do this."

Jeffersontown is home to several schools, and Pike believes voters should have the final say.

"If the voters wanted to put up extra money, I guess it would take extra income, you know, revenue," she said. "Then, you know, I think that's something that we should look at, if the voters want it."

HB 162 has yet to be heard in committee, and the tax implications aren't clear right now.

JCPS, the state's largest school district, echoed Pike's sentiment about the bill allowing citizens to weigh in at the polls.

"Research shows that creating independent school districts doesn't improve student outcomes and could lead to higher tax rates. However, we're glad the bill allows citizens to vote on this issue instead of letting politicians in Frankfort decide to split JCPS. Keep in mind, this could affect about 50 cities in 30 counties, not just Louisville," the district said in a statement.

Meanwhile, parents like Gaither hope it doesn't end up on the ballots.

"I think coming together is a better solution than being separate. There is nothing in history that tells us that being separate is the best choice," Gaither said.

Last legislative session, lawmakers overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of the bill that created the state's Efficient and Effective School Governance Task Force to look into JCPS.

The task force was formed to review and determine next steps for the district, and look into a potential split of the district. In late August last year, the task force said it didn't intend to recommend a split of the district.

The task force requested an extension to continue into this year.

To read the current version of HB 162, click here.

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