LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Applications are open for four of the positions on the state task force that will vet Jefferson County Public Schools and review the district's performance, including funding, district boundaries, and diversity and make identify potential improvements.

Known as the Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force, it targets school districts with enrollment greater than 75,000 students, which only qualifies for JCPS in the state of Kentucky. 

The task force is made up of 13 members. 

House Speaker David Osborne and Senate President Robert Stivers named Representative Kim Banta (R-Fort Mitchell) and Senator Mike Nemes (R-Shepherdsville) to lead the group. It also includes, Rep. Ken Fleming (R-Louisville), Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield), Rep. Tina Bojanowski (D-Louisville), Sen. Gerald Neal (D-Louisville).

"If you want to moan and groan, here's your chance to try and make a difference," said Sen. Nemes.

As a teacher and state lawmaker. Rep. Bojanowski hopes to provide the task force with a better perspective of what it is like at JCPS.

"We can talk about what happens in central office all day long, but we need to understand what’s happening inside the classrooms," Rep. Bojanowski said. "I definitely hope we bring to light some of the amazing things that are happening in JCPS and that we clarify some of the misconceptions." 

Also included on the task force is State Auditor Alison Ball or a designee, as well as Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg or a designee. As well as one JCPS principal, chosen from a list of three nominations provided by JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio.

The four other positions will be appointed by the Legislative Research Commission. The required criteria for citizen-members is:

  • Resident-Parent Members — Two members who are taxpayers living in a school district with an enrollment greater than 75,000, who are not current employees of the school district, have competency and experience or knowledge in the field of education, and have children that are currently attending or recently graduated within the past five years from the school district;
  • Business Member — One member with experience in the finance, management, and operations of large businesses that operate in the Commonwealth;
  • Teacher Member — One member who is a certified teacher currently employed as a classroom teacher in a school district with enrollment greater than 75,000 who has at least five years of experience working in the district

Individuals must submit a letter of intent that includes contact information, position sought (resident-parent, business, or teacher), an explanation how the applicant meets the requirements for the position and three potential references; and a resume detailing work experience and education history. 

Applicants must submit their application to the corresponding email and include the correct subject line:

Members are expected to also attend all meetings. Six meetings currently scheduled to be held at the Capitol in Frankfort and one in Louisville.

  • Monday, July 15, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Capitol
  • Monday, July 29, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Capitol 
  • Monday, August, 19, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Capitol
  • Thursday, August, 22, 2024 time TBD at Kentucky State Fair
  • Monday, September 16, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Capitol
  • Monday, October 21, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Capitol
  • Monday, November 18, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Capitol

Meetings will be open to the public and allow for public participation.

"More important than the task force itself is who will come forward and talk to us and give us the data and their perspective on what is good, what is not so good," said Sen. Nemes.

Sen. Nemes added the details are being worked out, but it is expected to have specific things to talk about and each meeting.

The focus on Louisville's public school system stems from its difficult start to the 2023-24 school year, and the failed rollout of a new busing system that led to six days of school being canceled. A group of Kentucky House Republicans sent an open letter to JCPS students, parents and teachers after the first day of school, calling the massive bus issues an "epic failure," and said the district "failed in its most fundamental obligation, which is to keep our kids safe."

The task force is the direct result of the legislature’s passage of HCR 81, a House Concurrent Resolution sponsored by Representative Ken Fleming that called for a working group to review the administrative functions of school districts with more than 75,000 students.

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