The Next Louisville: Public Education

While Jefferson County Public Schools has improved its suspension record this year, the district of more than 100,000 students still struggles with the fact that a disproportionate number of minority students are suspended.

Seventh grader Charlie Cross sometimes gets frustrated with learning.

“If I don’t know what to do, I’ll raise my hand and they’ll go to other kids and then my hand will get tired so I’ll put it down and I just lay my head down on the desk,” he says.

Cross has been sent to the principal’s office for things like this before. He's also been sent to the district’s alternative school.

He’s not alone.

Jefferson County Public Schools will lay off 41 teachers next school year, half of whom teach special education. 

JCPS officials say state budget and federal sequester cuts are partly the reason for the layoffs, but they also say fewer students are using special education services. 

The state required school districts to submit their layoff lists on May 15.

JCPS' list included 20 Exceptional Child Education (special education) teachers, 11 English teachers, seven physical education teachers and one art teacher. 

Jefferson County Public School Superintendent Donna Hargens sent a memo to all principals reminding them that district employees must remain neutral when discussing religion in school.

Last week, the group Louisville Area Christian Educators, or LACES, held an evening meeting at a district facility where a JCPS principal reportedly discussed ways religion could be introduced to students. Some have raised concerns with the group’s use of a public school facility to deliver their message.

More Kentucky students attend Indiana colleges and universities where they can get in-state tuition than the other way around.

Kentucky and Indiana officials have announced that they're extending the agreement that allows students to pay in-state tuition at certain colleges and universities across the Ohio River. The extension was approved by the two states' higher education agencies as its expiration date approached this summer.

Overall suspensions are down in Jefferson County Public Schools this academic year, but the district is still struggling with one major at-risk student group.

Officials with Spalding University have announced plans to expand the campus after purchasing the Cosmopolitan Building in downtown Louisville.

Once renovations are complete the building will be renamed the Republic Bank Academic Center.

Spalding president Tori Murden McClure says the bank met the school nearly halfway to help pay the $700,000 purchase cost.

“We couldn’t afford the full purchase price and they helped us out and we’re going to turn it into a 40,000 square foot classroom, laboratory and office complex," she says.

The Jefferson County Teachers Association is trying to increase its role in turning around the school district’s lowest achieving schools and has laid out steps to improve collaboration between the union and Jefferson County Public Schools.

This week, JCTA president Brent McKim sent an email to JCPS superintendent Donna Hargens, in which he discussed 11 ways the union and JCPS could begin working together to improve turnaround efforts at the district’s 18 priority schools (see below).

Many Louisville students are labeled "at-risk"—some because of family education, health history or income levels.How are these students tracked, served and assured the opportunity to succeed?

WFPL Education Reporter Devin Katayama is joined by the following guests to discuss those questions. 

Many Louisville students are labeled "at-risk"—some because of family education, health history or income levels.How are these students tracked, served and assured the opportunity to succeed?

Those questions will be explored in a public forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Iroquois Public Library, 601 W. Woodlawn Avenue.

WFPL Education Reporter Devin Katayama will be joined by the following guests: