The monthly JCPS Board Meeting was held on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The meeting began with a moment of silence. After the moment of silence, recognitions were presented.
Recognitions
Carolyn Callahan, JCPS Chief of Communications and Community Relations, presented recognitions for the night. She honored the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS) for its multiple invitations to perform at national music conferences. The YPAS Jazz Ensemble will play at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans. The YPAS Symphonic Band will perform at the National Band Association/College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference in Tampa. The YPAS Percussion Ensemble will play at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
Manual was also honored for being the number one school in the state, along with five other JCPS high schools being ranked in the top 25. In order, they are J. Graham Brown School (#3), Louisville Male High School (#9), Ballard High School (#12), Atherton High School (#13) and Eastern High School (#24).
Next, the JCPS Office of School Choice was recognized for a successful start to the 2025-2026 school year. The team assisted with transportation concerns and processed applications.
The Noe Middle School Symphonic Band was honored for its invitation to perform at the 2026 Music for All National Festival.
The recently launched Junior Athletic Director Program was then recognized for its empowerment of eleventh and twelfth graders in leadership positions. It aims to provide students with the skills to work alongside athletic directors at their schools.
Then, the Valley High School Boys Soccer Program was honored for its coaches’ commitment to leadership.
Two JCPS teachers, Brandon Lewis and Angela Williams, were selected to participate in the prestigious Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program.
Also, Kennita Ballard and Robyn Ballinger, JCPS educators, were selected to serve as 2025-2026 Kentucky Innovative Teacher Fellows. The Kentucky Department of Education selected only 10 teachers statewide for the program.
Alicia Miller was honored for being the first ever JCPS Plant Operator of the Year. Her hard work in keeping Schaffner Elementary School clean earned her the title.
Lastly, JCPS staff members across the district were honored for their celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. These staff members were: Gwen Snow, Paula Rojas Aguilera, Elvira Paguada-Gutierrez, Patricia (PJ) Concepcionm, Aylin Muñoz and Ramon Mora. They went above and beyond in designing educational activities and cultural celebrations.
Addressed Topics
Brian Yearwood presented the next phase of his professional growth plan at the meeting. This is a part of the 100-day stabilization plan to achieve financial stability within JCPS. JCPS is facing a financial crisis and is projected to declare bankruptcy by October 2027 unless changes to the budget are made. This was discovered in the previous board meeting on Sept. 16.
Along with financial stability, the key priorities of the plan include student achievement and school safety. The second phase of the professional growth plan aims to initiate a budget stabilization plan and continue academic improvement through school visits.
“My core philosophy is that our schools are a direct reflection of our community, and as a result of that, our schools must succeed for our community to thrive,” Yearwood said.
The third JCPS Guardrail, Protect Inclusive Decision Making, was then presented to the board. It focused on increasing teacher voice and leadership, enhancing parent and staff communication and incorporating more collaborative leadership teams within schools.
Additionally, the Board of Education approved the amendment to the Elementary School Funding Allocation Model in the School Allocation Standards. For three years, every school received an allocation of funds based on the following demographics: students of color, free or reduced lunch, mobility, Exceptional Childhood Education (ECE) and students who qualify for English Second Language (ESL) services. After conferencing with the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, JCPS has decided to eliminate the race factor in elementary school funding.
According to a letter sent to the board by the United States Department of Education, the practice was discriminatory and “patently illegal.” This is especially due to the fact that not all schools with a higher proportion of students of color are struggling. For example, according to the Courier Journal analysis of JCPS’ data, Blue Lick Elementary had a needs index of 51.1, showing the need for more support. But they had a drastically higher student of color population (57%).
Furthermore, the Board of Education approved an audit plan that will assess the systemic and situational factors that led to the JCPS budget shortfall. Auditors will review the 2022-2025 school years and identify contributing components, such as pay raises and new positions, that cost at least $1 million annually.
Four people also addressed the Board of Education. Jamie King, a JCPS parent, expressed his concern with the termination of $9.7 million in grant funding. The funding was originally allocated for Coleridge Taylor Elementary School and Western High School. He urged the board to reconsider this termination.
“I believe that Coleridge Taylor Montessori earned this, and I believe that Western high school earned this. And the metaphor that comes to mind is that of a bully who tries to steal your money while stuffing you in a locker,” King said.
Christie Mudd, a gifted and talented program teacher, shared some insight into gifted education. She shared the process of how students are identified as gifted and how she assists gifted students within JCPS.
Maddie Shepard, the president of the JCPS Teacher Association, spoke about her 2026 Louisville Leadership class. She discussed how the future leaders of Louisville visited JCPS schools and had positive feedback about the learning environments they saw.
Brandon Bridwell, a JCPS parent, addressed the board about his struggles with the absence of transportation for his child. He urged the board to reconsider its transportation plan and prioritize transporting younger students.
“I know the bussing plan is a massive issue. It’s massively logistical. But as a parent, no high school kid should be on a bus before an elementary or middle school kid,” Bridwell said.
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m.
