FRANKFORT, Ky. — There's a renewed effort by Kentucky Republicans in Frankfort to study whether the state's largest public school district is too big and determine whether breaking it up would fix existing issues.
Two state lawmakers are pushing to create a task force to look into the size of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), filing resolutions Monday. If passed, either would create a team of lawmakers, educators and residents to explore options for creating multiple school districts within JCPS.
But does the state even have the power to make that happen? Even if the committee is created and the study recommends dividing JCPS, any kind of law to facilitate a split could run into legal troubles.
State Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield) told WHAS11 there is not a clear path toward an action item just yet.
The Kentucky Constitution prevents laws that specifically target local governing agencies, like a public school system -- meaning, even if a bill was passed to split JCPS, the courts could very well strike it down.
So the question we asked, why go through all this trouble?
"The way I think would be great is if Jefferson County says, 'Yeah, let's move forward,' and we don't have to have a piece of legislation," Tichenor said. "We all come to the same agreement of 'let's find the best path forward for our students. And if this is what we recommend, 'let's get them on board and let's work together.'"
Tichenor notes low test scores, nagging transportation issues and disciplinary problems as reasons why the school district of 96,000 students can't continue status quo.
"Annually, it's a continuing problem along with the downward test scores that we're seeing, we need to take a look at this," she said. "I think the more manageable a district can be, the more successful it can be."
When asked if she's hoping for 'some admission' by JCPS that the way the district is operating isn't working -- Tichenor replied, "That would be nice."
Opponents to the resolution worry about racial equity and how local tax funding would be divided.
"It could definitely raise some issues, but I have no doubt that we'll take all of that into consideration," she said.
Tichenor acknowledged JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio is making some good changes, like the new choice system. But she said it'll take years to see results -- time she said they don't have.
WHAS11 also asked how many districts Tichenor believes may be a good number for JCPS. She said it's difficult to speculate prior to the study, but mentioned four as a possible starting point.
The resolution states that the task force would be assigned to have a report listing recommendations by Dec. 1, 2024, but Tichenor said they won't rush findings and will take longer if needed.
Gov. Andy Beshear has issued a response to the resolutions.
“JCPS is governed by a board elected by the people of Jefferson County, and all school districts are run by locally elected officials for good reason. I oppose the General Assembly trying to govern any individual school district given the vast majority of them live outside that district."
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