Twelve hundred JCPS teachers and support staff from 25 schools rolled up their sleeves for the first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine on Friday, potentially allowing the district to reopening schools in a matter of weeks pending the Jefferson County Board of Education’s approval.

Nissi Tatason, a sixth-grade student at Grace M. James Academy of Excellence, saw herself in Vice President Kamala Harris as she prepared to take the oath of office Wednesday.

"I’m fearful that we have a lot of drivers who are middle-aged or older, they’re going to say, ‘I’m not willing to take that chance,’ and they’re going to leave," said John Stovall, president of the union that represents bus drivers.

If approved by the board Jan. 26, the district expects to save at least $5.5 million and potentially more than $6 million by closing Bridgepoint Elementary, transitioning Corden Porter programming to other schools, removing certification requirements for teaching related arts classes, outsourcing janitorial and maintenance work, and more cost-saving measures starting July 1.

The decision has been backed by the Oldham County Health Department based on recent COVID-19 case trends outside of long-term care and correctional facilities, Schultz said.

The district’s proposal, set to be presented during a school board meeting Thursday, envisions closing Bridgeport Elementary and Corden Porter and revives a previous plan to eliminate most certified teachers from elementary school classes like art, music, media and technology, and physical education.

Teachers and school employees at Ballard County Schools, Warren County Public Schools, Bowling Green Independent School District, Taylor County Schools and Campbellsville Independent Schools have been offered COVID-19 vaccines as of Tuesday, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Michael Arthur was terminated by Jefferson County Public Schools on Dec. 10 after the Kentucky Music Educators Association banned bands under his direction from performing at the group’s Professional Development Conference for six years, according to a letter from Superintendent Marty Pollio provided by the district.

"By me taking this shot today, I want to show my coworkers, all of my coworkers at JCPS that this shot is safe."

Internal meetings with staff affected by the proposed cuts are underway, Laughner said in the letter obtained by WDRB News.