The Kentucky Commissioner of Education has recommended a state takeover of the Jefferson County Public Schools.

It will be up to the Kentucky Board of Education to make the final decision of whether to have the state take over JCPS or to respect the authority of our democratically-elected and locally-accountable school board to oversee our school district.

Below are some of the likely consequences for students, parents, and residents of Jefferson County if a takeover occurs.

1. Local control would be lost because all the authority of our democratically-elected school board and superintendent would be given to a single state manager determined by Governor Bevin’s appointed state school board. Dr. Pollio and our JCPS school board would become only advisory.

2. Local citizens will have no local elected JCPS leaders to address their issues and concerns.

3. Under State control, JCPS schools could be subject (without democratic parent voice) to closure, redesign, or conversion to charter schools operated by for-profit out-of-state corporations.

4. The JCPS student assignment plan could be completely rewritten by a single state manager determined by Governor Bevin’s appointed state school board. This could change which schools students are eligible to attend.

5. JCPS policies on students’ and parents’ rights are undermined. Under State implementation, students’ and parents’ rights can be limited.

6. Under State control, JCPS options and magnet programs could be subject to elimination or change without democratic parent voice.

7. Extracurricular activities and special programs can be removed depending on the State’s determination of their importance and willingness to fund them.

8. JCPS funding could be dramatically cut by the state manager, who would get to unilaterally set the JCPS tax rate without approval by local citizens.

9. Students and schools could potentially have their teachers removed.

10. Governor Bevin’s state manager could remove JCPS School Superintendent Dr. Pollio.

11. The state will become the decisionmaker of all day-to-day operations of the Jefferson County Public Schools.

12. Governor Bevin’s state manager will have unprecedented authority. In state-managed school districts in other states, this person has had students arrested for dress code violations and has had parents arrested for their complaints against state administrators.

Our students and our schools are too important to leave decision making up to people who don't know our children and our community.

If we're serious about every child's future, let's get serious about doing what works. Our children are counting on us to take politics our of our classrooms and focus on what works for them.

We need smaller class sizes that enable one-on-one learning, counseling and support services that address students social and emotional needs, and wrap-around services that meet their physical needs and emotional needs.  

Make your voice heard by signing this #OurJCPS petition calling for local control of our school district today!