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Board member explains why she voted for JCPS' new busing plan; 'Everything depends on transportation'

Critics argue the plan will disproportionately impact Black, brown and economically disadvantaged students.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a 4-3 vote, the Jefferson County Board of Education approved a controversial transportation plan to only bus students at high school magnets where 75% of students enroll in the free and reduced lunch program. 

Right now, the following schools qualify under those guidelines: Central High School, Western High School, Grace James Academy, and W.E.B. DuBois Academy High.

"Everything depends on transportation," Board member Linda Duncan said Thursday, adding that it's why she voted in favor of the plan during the special meeting Wednesday night.

To Duncan, having a plan soon is important so families can decide where to send their kids, so schools can figure out their staffing based on those students, and so the transportation team can finalize routes.

As that vote neared, a crowd pleaded the board to halt voting, including Metro Councilwoman Donna Purivs. 

"I don't think it's fair you all have been rushing this vote," Purvis shouted from the audience.

Board member Chris Kolb resisted criticism that the decision came too quickly. He also voted in support of the new plan. 

"Anybody who thinks this vote has been rushed simply has not been paying attention," he said, drawing a roar from the packed crowd.

Joe Marshall, a board member who called for the special meeting but voted against the plan, told WHAS11 that "last night's vote by a majority of my colleagues is disappointing, [it] importantly underlines and increased need for a governance model that allows for increased transparency and community collaboration."

Credit: WHAS11 News
JCPS Board Member Linda Duncan. | April 11, 2024

JCPS transportation department's own presentation found the plan still means routes will run late in the next school year, with many routes ending around 6:20 p.m. Currently, buses run until 7:00 p.m. on average.

However, Duncan believes the newly-approved plan will draw bus drivers back to the district. She said almost 91 drivers left due to long and complicated routes. 

"I think a simplified plan will be more appealing and I do hope that as we draw them back we can add routes and hopefully some day get back to what we were doing," she said.

That being said, Duncan said her supporting vote was a difficult decision.

"Nobody is choosing this saying, 'this is the best thing.' We know it's not the best, but it's the best that we can come up with 474 drivers," she said.

Duncan also reiterated that choice zone schools will continue getting transportation. She also reassured changes proposed by the independent Prismatic audit of the district's transportation system are part of the new plan, such as regional routing. 

John Stovall, president of the JCPS bus driver union, agrees that although the plan was difficult, it's the best option for now.

"We know it was a hard decision and give props to Dr. Pollio and the Board for making the hard decision, but unless God, Christ or Muhammad sends down 300 bus drivers to cover all of those runs, this is the best option."

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