LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The new Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) transportation plan is still top of mind for parents and community leaders.
At Friday's community round table at Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, special guests were brought in to address concerns and to make sure everyone is informed about the changes.
The plan voted on by JCPS cuts transportation for about 14,000 students who currently choose to attend magnet and traditional schools. The only exception are high schools where 75% or more of the students qualify for free and reduced lunches. As of this moment Central and Western high schools meet that mark.
Retired JCPS principal Michelle Pennix was invited to the event where she informed everyone on how this will impact them.
"What we're able to understand at this point is that magnet transportation and traditional transportation has been cut except for a handful of schools," Pennix said.
An email sent to parents by JCPS said the shortage of bus drivers leads to students missing class time. After addressing these concerns, Pennix was approached with ideas from her neighbors.
"In that room there were hundreds of solutions," Pennix said. "People were coming up to me saying, 'Have they thought about this?' 'Have they talked about this?' 'I'd like to see our superintendent do some community sessions.'"
West Louisville resident Frank Anderson said these changes will impact his family in the district.
"JCPS has threw down the gauntlet," Anderson said. "It's up to us to take the challenge and figure out how to take that challenge and make the system better for our children."
"Your churches, your activities, your organizations who depend on transportation need to have a plan b," Pennix said.
Towards the end of session, District 6 school board member Corrie Shull arrived to address their issues.
"Thank you all for your engagement," Shull said. "Thank you all for your support and we'll have more information coming about how to navigate the system soon."
Pennix said this change will show who will be impacted.
"We've had a number of surveys, audits, and just common sense tells us that low income are the one's who are going to suffer the most," Pennix said. "So this issue speaks to the heart of a great issue in our community."
The email sent to parents also said if students no longer qualify for transportation to their choice school their principal will follow up with more information next week. The district will also provide more context on a stipend program to aid families who will need to travel.
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