LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The superintendent for Kentucky's largest public school district has left the door open regarding his future in the role, during a last day of school news conference outside Cochrane Elementary in Jeffersontown on Friday.
Superintendent Marty Pollio called the 2023-24 school year the most successful period in the classroom since he began leading Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) seven years ago, noting an 87% graduation rate, thousands of seniors graduating with college credit, and the opening of new schools.
But he also admitted it was the most challenging year so far in his tenure, specifically as it relates to the district's bus transportation woes.
"The biggest challenge and the hardest decisions to make as superintendent is when you feel that there really is not a great answer to a problem or a clear solution that's going to help everyone," Pollio said, referring in part to JCPS' choice to cut the majority of magnet school bus transportation.
RELATED: 'You can do it if you just put in the effort': JCPS senior scores more than $1M in scholarships
WHAS11 asked Pollio if he guarantees families that the start of next school year will be smoother.
"Yes, I can commit to next year's first day being better than this year's first day. If it's not, then we'll have somebody else up here. It will be better," Pollio told us.
No one has to tell the superintendent what's riding on the performance of buses -- and the district itself -- this fall. Some community leaders have called for his resignation.
We asked Pollio if he's "committed to this job beyond next year, no matter what happens?"
He answered, "Um, I can't comment on that. I don't know right now what my future holds."
While kids were heading home, the work for school district leaders will continue into the summer.
Pollio said they hope to have next year's bus routes completed by the end of June to ensure drivers have ample time to learn and practice before the start of school.
We're told JCPS will have more bus drivers than routes come August, something Pollio notes was not the case last year, contributing to major delays.
The district is making changes in the wake of that blistering audit report published back in March.
According to a JCPS spokesperson, they've installed camera systems for nearly all 725 buses to improve communication, and they're adding GPS-equipped tablets too.
But knowing staffing remains a major issue, WHAS11 also asked about the proposed partnership between the district and TARC -- Louisville's public transportation service -- to bring laid off TARC drivers over to JCPS to drive students.
"They're difficult negotiations; we're still hoping that that happens," Pollio said. "When you have four entities involved in any type of negotiations, that makes it a little more challenging. But we feel we've made progress and hope to have an announcement soon."
Until then, it's full steam ahead on recruiting with another JCPS bus driver hiring blitz set for June 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport on Crittenden Drive.
Also, a note for JCPS parents: Look out for an email from the district asking you for your home address, and how your kids will be getting to and from school this fall. JCPS leaders said this is vital information to have before they can finalize transportation schedules.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.