On Nov. 20, JCPS proposed to close or consolidate certain schools. They would close Liberty High School and Zachary Taylor Elementary School and relocate Waller-Williams Environmental School to “an existing facility.” They would also consolidate King Elementary School and Maupin Elementary school at Maupin’s building, and move the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program (TAPP) to the Gheens Early Childhood Center at Louisville Male High School.
But on Dec. 5, the JCPS Board Chair and Vice Chair released a statement that they will introduce a motion to pause the plan at the Dec. 9 board meeting. All board members approved it. The plan will not be approved until the next board meeting on Jan. 20.
“I am grateful that the Board Chair and Vice Chair recognize that this proposal is significant and deserves the highest level of care and consideration. Their decision to pause the process reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that our next steps are the right steps for the students and families of JCPS,” Yearwood said in a statement to WAVE News.
Additionally, on Nov. 21, JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood, announced a plan to move back school start times by 20 minutes. It was supposed to aid the district’s busing problems. Moving back start times was meant to help increase attendance and eliminate late buses that have caused tardies.
But on Nov. 24, JCPS withdrew the plan after reconsideration and review with both teachers and parents.
“While the intent was to strengthen student learning conditions and improve operational efficiency, it is clear that more analysis and deeper engagement are necessary before moving forward,” Yearwood said in a statement.
Both of these were proposed to reduce JCPS’ current $188 million budget deficit. Yearwood’s current plan would cut $132 million for the 2026-27 school year.
In these two instances when JCPS received backlash, they quickly retracted their plans.
Even though these changes do further accommodate families, JCPS has shown that they aren’t set with their policies. If JCPS had stuck to these plans and had allowed them to have their benefits, the district would see improvements in efficiency and the budget deficit. That would lead to improvements in schools district-wide, especially in areas like racial justice, academic growth and teacher recruitment in accordance with Yearwood’s original plans. Not sticking with their policies just demonstrates that JCPS isn’t consistent in their plan to truly help the entirety of JCPS, only to make people happy.
This is not to say that people should stop attending public forums or fail to express their opinions. It is to say that JCPS should incorporate public opinions into their formulation before announcing their final plan, rather than eliminating initiatives after the fact.
