Parents and community members in Louisville's Shawnee neighborhood are voicing strong opposition to a decision by the Jefferson County School Board to close two local elementary schools. In response to the planned closures of King and Zachary Taylor elementary schools, residents are advocating for the establishment of a charter school to serve the community's children.
The decision, finalized at a Tuesday night board meeting, comes as part of a broader effort by Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) to address a significant budget deficit. However, for many in Shawnee, the closure of King Elementary represents the loss of a vital neighborhood institution.
Key Takeaways
- The Jefferson County School Board has finalized the closure of King and Zachary Taylor elementary schools effective next school year.
- Shawnee neighborhood residents are protesting the decision, particularly the closure of King Elementary, the only public elementary school in their community.
- Community advocates are proposing the creation of a charter school in the King Elementary building as an alternative.
- The closures are part of a larger JCPS plan to cut $142 million from its budget, which also includes significant administrative restructuring.
- The debate highlights ongoing tensions over school funding, academic performance, and educational choice in Kentucky.
Community Outrage and a Call for Alternatives
During a small news conference held Wednesday at King Elementary, community members expressed their frustration with the school board's decision. Betty Bailey, a former parent whose children attended the school, described the community as "outraged."
"This is our community. This is our school ... the only elementary school within the Shawnee community. This impacts all of us," Bailey stated, emphasizing the central role the school plays in the neighborhood.
Instead of accepting the closure, Bailey and others are championing a different path forward: converting the building into a charter school. This proposal is seen as a way for the community to maintain local control over education and invest directly in a program tailored to their needs.
Ray Barker, a frequent attendee of board meetings, suggested that a charter school would empower the Shawnee community. "It gives this community, the Shawnee community of west Louisville, the opportunity to say 'Wherever you're short, we'll put in,'" he explained. "I'm looking forward to that day where we'll be able to flex and say 'We care enough that I'm willing to put my own skin in the game.'"
The Status of Charter Schools in Kentucky
Charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately operated, have a complex legal history in Kentucky. While legislation passed in 2017 made them legal, funding mechanisms have faced significant legal challenges. A 2022 law to allow state and local funding for charter schools was ruled unconstitutional. In 2024, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have permitted state funds for non-public schools. The state is currently awaiting a Kentucky Supreme Court decision that could alter the funding landscape.
JCPS Cites Operational Costs Amidst Budget Crisis
The school closures are a component of a much larger financial overhaul within JCPS. The district is grappling with the need to cut $142 million from its budget. District officials have stated that the decision to close King and Zachary Taylor was based on practical considerations, not academic ones.
According to JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan, the district reviewed the overall physical condition of its school buildings and the operational costs required to run them. She clarified that academic performance was not a factor in the selection process.
Students from the affected schools will be reassigned. Families at King Elementary can choose between Kennedy and Maupin elementary schools, or opt for schools further away in the Doss, Fairdale, Iroquois, PRP, and Valley zones. Zachary Taylor families will have options within the Ballard Elementary Zone, including Chancey, Dunn, and Norton Commons, among others. Several magnet schools are also options for students from both schools, though transportation may not be provided.
Academic Performance at a Glance
While JCPS stated academic performance was not a factor, data from the Kentucky Department of Education shows proficiency challenges at both schools:
- King Elementary: 9% of students are proficient in reading, and 4% are proficient in math.
- Zachary Taylor Elementary: 27% of students are proficient in reading, and 21% are proficient in math.
Scrutiny of Administrative Cuts and District Priorities
As part of its budget cuts, the JCPS board also approved a significant reorganization of the superintendent's cabinet. The total number of chiefs was reduced from 13 to seven, eliminating high-level positions such as Chief Information Officer, Chief of Human Resources, and Chief Finance Officer.
However, some new executive positions were created, including a Chief Business Officer and a Chief of Strategy & Innovation. This has drawn criticism from community members like Betty Bailey, who feel the cuts are not targeting the top-level administration as promised.
"Anyone that's making over $100,000 annually — meaning you're making three times as much as our teachers, than anyone who is actually hands-on with our students — they could've taken cuts," Bailey argued. "If we wanted to start anywhere, we could've started there."
Community member Richard Whitlock Jr. connected the schools' low proficiency scores to systemic issues within the district. He argued that JCPS has struggled to support students from low-income backgrounds effectively, regardless of their race.
"JCPS is having a challenge teaching poor kids across the board, no matter what color they are: Black, brown or white," Whitlock said. "It's a social issue. It's something that's a whole lot bigger than our little students." He pointed to a lack of resources, including take-home books and arts programs, as factors that limit students' academic exposure.
In response, JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan highlighted the district's support systems, such as the Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs) located in schools, which aim to remove barriers to learning for students and their families.
Despite these assurances, the board's decision has left a deep rift in the Shawnee neighborhood. As families prepare for a new school year with uncertain assignments, the call for a charter school represents a community's determination to shape its own educational future in the face of district-wide upheaval.
