“JCPS(Jefferson County Public Schools): New Busing Plan and Civil Rights Lawsuit2024”

Introduction

The Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) in Louisville, Kentucky, are facing significant challenges regarding their new busing plan. A civil rights lawsuit has raised concerns that could delay the school year’s start.

Superintendent’s Stance

Superintendent Marty Pollio expressed confidence that the school year would begin on time, despite the ongoing lawsuit. He emphasized the difficulty of redoing the bus routing plan, which took nearly three months to finalize.

Pollio’s Statement

Pollio stated, “Redoing every route and bus stop, whether we use the term ‘catastrophic’ or not, would be a very lengthy process.” He assured reporters that the school year would start on time, stating, “There’s no doubt we’re starting school next week.”

Civil Rights Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed by two JCPS parents, Mary Bledsaw and Taryn Bell, claims the new bus plan disproportionately affects students of color and violates their civil rights. The parents argue that their children, who attend magnet and traditional schools, may have to switch to less desirable neighborhood schools due to the lack of bus service.

Impact on Students

Bledsaw’s children, an incoming junior at Male High School and a freshman at Central High School, might be forced to transfer to Valley High School, which they believe is inferior. Bell’s child, a special needs student, may have to leave Whitney Young Elementary, which is considered the best environment for his education needs.

Attorney’s Argument

Louisville attorney Teddy Gordon, representing the parents, disputed the district’s claim that a restraining order would delay the school year. He argued that reinstating the previous plan would be straightforward.

JCPS’s Efforts and Challenges

JCPS has struggled with bus driver shortages for several years, leading to delays and disruptions. In an effort to address these issues, the district has made several changes:

New Start Times

In February 2023, JCPS introduced a plan to change school start times to nine different slots ranging from 7:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. However, the first day with the new schedule saw significant delays, prompting the district to cancel classes temporarily.

Staffing Issues

JCPS faced challenges in hiring enough bus drivers to meet the new plan’s needs. By April 2024, the Board of Education decided to cut transportation for students not attending their neighborhood schools, except for Central and Western high schools, which have high percentages of students on free or reduced lunch.

Solutions and Future Plans

JCPS has been working throughout the summer to avoid another transportation meltdown. The district has implemented several measures to ensure smoother operations this year:

Internal Routing Team

Pollio mentioned the addition of an internal routing team to improve bus routes. The district aims to have more bus drivers than routes for the first time in years.

Financial Assistance for Families

The district offers stipends to families affected by the transportation cuts. Parents with students who qualify for free and reduced lunches can receive financial assistance to transport their children to school.

Collaboration with TARC

JCPS reached an agreement with the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) to transition some of their drivers to the school district. These drivers are undergoing certification to drive school buses.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges and the ongoing lawsuit, JCPS is determined to start the school year on time. Superintendent Pollio and the district have implemented several measures to address the transportation issues, aiming to ensure a smoother and more efficient operation this year.