The Jefferson County Board of Education has approved a sweeping organizational overhaul designed to address a massive budget deficit. The plan, which passed in a 5-2 vote, will eliminate 648 positions while creating 273 new ones, marking a significant restructuring of Kentucky's largest school district.
This decision is a major step in the district's effort to close an estimated $188 million budget shortfall. Officials state the approved changes are expected to save the district approximately $30.8 million.
Key Takeaways
- The JCPS Board of Education approved the new organizational chart with a 5-2 vote.
- The plan eliminates 648 positions and adds 273 new or reworked positions.
- These changes are projected to save the district $30.8 million as it faces a $188 million budget deficit.
- A significant portion of the cuts affect Academic Instructional Coaches, bookkeepers, and safety administrators.
- Employees in eliminated roles will need to reapply for the newly created positions.
Details of the Board's Decision
The vote followed a brief delay after the board initially tabled the matter on Tuesday, citing a need for more time to review the proposed charts. Board members reportedly met with the superintendent and his staff in the interim to discuss the changes in greater detail before reconvening for the final decision.
The restructuring is a critical component of Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio's strategy to stabilize the district's finances. The superintendent has indicated that this reorganization is necessary to achieve a larger goal of $132 million in total cuts.
Navigating a Financial Crisis
The $188 million budget shortfall facing Jefferson County Public Schools is the driving force behind this significant staff reorganization. The district must make substantial cuts to align its spending with available revenue. This plan represents the first major phase of that effort, with more decisions expected in the coming months.
One board member, Taylor Everett, expressed mixed feelings prior to the vote. While acknowledging the need to reduce the deficit, he voiced a desire for more significant cuts to the central office staff who are not directly in schools on a daily basis.
"I feel confident that the labor... I honestly hope I’m wrong," Everett stated, expressing concern about the size of the central office. "If they keep it where it is and the central office remains large like it is, I just hope Dr. Yearwood deploys it better so that we hear from principals in the community that they love the organization, and the kids are all reading well."
Breaking Down the Numbers
The approved plan involves a complex series of position changes, not just straightforward eliminations. The district has provided a detailed breakdown of how the workforce will be reshaped.
Position Eliminations
Of the 648 positions being eliminated, the vast majority—630—are paid from the district's general fund. The remaining 18 are funded through categorical grants. These roles span various departments and functions within the school system.
A large cluster of cuts, totaling 331 jobs, will impact three specific roles:
- Academic Instructional Coaches
- Bookkeepers/Clerks
- Safety Administrators
However, the district notes that 121 of these roles will be centralized and re-introduced into the new organizational structure, suggesting a shift in strategy rather than a complete removal of these functions.
By the Numbers: JCPS Restructuring
- Total Positions Eliminated: 648
- Total Positions Added: 273
- Net Reduction in Positions: 375
- Projected Savings: $30.8 million
- Overall Budget Shortfall: $188 million
New and Reclassified Positions
While hundreds of jobs are being cut, the district is also making strategic investments by adding 273 new positions. These are described as either brand-new titles or reworked jobs that previously existed in a different capacity.
Of these new roles, 249 will be added to the general fund and 13 to the grant-funded category. An additional 19 positions have been reclassified. The focus of these new roles appears to be on instructional support, technology infrastructure, and student safety, with JCPS Police expected to see an increase in positions.
Staff members whose current jobs are eliminated will have the opportunity to reapply for these new positions, though employment is not guaranteed. This process will create a period of uncertainty for many long-time district employees.
Departmental Changes and Future Steps
The reorganization also includes significant shifts in departmental structure and focus. The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Poverty will undergo reductions and be renamed the Department of Opportunity and Access. This signals a potential shift in the district's approach to these critical areas.
Additionally, the plan includes a pay increase for the Special Assistant to the Superintendent, a detail that may draw scrutiny as hundreds of other positions are eliminated.
It is important to note that these changes do not include the Exceptional Childhood Education (ECE) department. Recommendations for ECE will be presented to the board separately in March, meaning further adjustments are still to come.
The JCPS Board of Education is scheduled to make a final vote on the entire district budget in May. The changes approved in this organizational chart are set to take effect on July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.