JCPS database reveals high-paying salaries as the district deals with budget issues

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Nearly 1,300 Jefferson County Public Schools employees make six figures as the district is facing budget cuts.

According to data obtained via open records request, Superintendent Brian Yearwood makes the most at $351,346.14 The chief positions make up the next seven highest-paying jobs at JCPS, but two of them — Chief of Human Resources Cynthia Grohmann and Chief of Information Technology Eric Satterly — had their last day of work June 30.

JCPS still listed them in the salary information:

John Marshall (chief opportunity and access officer): $199,899.90
Kathryn Deferrar (chief strategy and innovation officer): $199,899.90
Robert Fulk (chief operations officer): $199,899.90
Kevin Brown (general counsel): $199,899.90
Robert Moore (chief of schools): $199,899.90
Cynthia Grohmann (chief of HR): $199,899.90
Eric Satterly (chief information officer): $199,899.90

The next highest paying jobs are:

Joseph Ellison (assistant superintendent): $195,951.39
Paige Hartstern (assistant superintendent): $195,951.39

In June, Ellison was named the new executive principal of Doss High School.

The salary database includes more than 17,000 employees with substitute teachers. Some of the lowest-paying jobs include several employees in Nutrition Services making less than $18,000 a year.

JCPS has been dealing with a $188 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 budget. The district said projections show the district will continue carrying a deficit next school year of about $82 million and is not expected to reach a balanced budget until 2031.

When asked about the latest on the reorganization and which job still need to be filled, Barnard Baker, a JCPS spokesperson said the district is still searching for its next chief business officer, chief academic officer, executive officer of information technology and executive officer of finance."

JCPS declined a request for comment for this story, though Baker said the district's new executive officer of talent "would be happy to schedule an interview in the next week or two."

The first day of school is on Aug. 6.