The parents of a Ballard High School student are suing Jefferson County Public Schools over the district’s refusal to allow the student to play sports at Ballard this year. The tenth grader transferred to Ballard from Manual High School, where she had complained of being bullied.The Kentucky High School Athletic Association granted her an exemption to play softball and other sports at Ballard without the usual one-year waiting period for transfers.However, according to the suit, JCPS would not grant its own waiver because it would violate district policy aimed at preventing school-to-school athlete recruitment.Attorney Ted Gordon represents the girl’s parents, Steve and Jenny Martin. He says JCPS should abide by the state body’s ruling."They (KHSAA) looked at this case, they granted her an exemption, which doesn’t happen very often—without lawyers---this is from a hearing officer that happens quite frequently. I’ve had hearings there, usually they’re denied. In this particular case it was granted," he said.A JCPS spokesperson said the district would not comment on pending litigation.(Pictured, from left: Steve Martin, attorney Ted Gordon, Jenny Martin)
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.
